Mohammad Nabi resigns: Afghanistan skipper Mohammad Nabi has decided to step down as captain after his team's heartbreaking loss to Australia in the ongoing ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2022. The veteran all-rounder confirmed he will continue to play for the national team, "when the management and team needs" him. Australia, on Friday, defeated Afghanistan by four runs in their Super 12 Group Stage match. Nabi revealed in his tweet that "he and the selection committee were not on the same page which had implications on the team balance". Notably, Afghanistan is the only team in T20 World Cup 2022 which could not win a single match.
"Our T20 World Cup journey came to an end, with a result that not we nor our supporters were expecting. We are as frustrated as you are with the outcome of matches," Nabi said in his tweet.
"We are as frustrated as you are with the outcome of matches.
"From the last one year, our team preparation was not to a level that a captain would want it or needed for a big tournament. Moreover, in some of the last tours the team management, selection committee and I were not on the same page which had implications on the team balance.
"Therefore, with due respect, effectively immediately I announce to STEP DOWN as a CAPTAIN & will continue to play for my country when the management & team need me.
"I thank every single one of you from the bottom of my heart who came to the grounds despite matches being affected by the rain and those who supporters us worldwide, your love truly means a lot to us. Long live Afghanistan."
Australia, in their final T20 World Cup Super 12 match in Group 1, attained a 4-run win over Afghanistan on Friday at Adelaide Oval to keep their semifinal hopes alive in the T20 World Cup 2022. Batting first, Australia posted a challenging 169-run target for Afghanistan, courtesy of fiery knocks from Glenn Maxwell (32-balls 54*) and Mitchell Marsh (45 off 30 balls). In reply, Afghanistan were bowled out for 164/7 in their allotted 20 overs with Rashid Khan doing the bulk of scoring for his team with an unbeaten 48 off 23 balls.
Talking about Afghanistan's campaign in the T20 World Cup 2022, they ended Super 12 Group Stage with zero wins from three complete matches. Their chances of a win against Ireland and New Zealand were hampered by rain.