Mohammad Nabi becomes second Afghanistan batter with 2,000 T20I runs
Afghanistan veteran all-rounder Mohammad Nabi has accomplished 2,000 runs in T20I cricket. The experienced campaigner reached the milestone during Afghanistan's second T20I clash against Sri Lanka in Dambulla. Notably, he became the second Afghan batter to achieve the milestone. Nabi unlocked the feat in T20I cricket with his 24th run during his knock. Nabi perished for 27 as Afghanistan lost the clash.
Second Afghanistan batter with 2,000 T20I runs
Nabi has been exceptional for Afghanistan in limited-overs cricket. He became the second Afghan batter to complete 2,000 runs in T20I cricket, just behind leading run-getter Mohammad Shahzad (2,048). However, Nabi became the 27th batter to complete the feat in T20I cricket. With this record, he surpassed the runs tally of Ireland's Kevin O'Brien (1,973). Nabi is also the second-highest T20I run-getter for Afghanistan.
A sensational T20 double for Nabi
Nabi is one of the few players with over 5,600-plus runs and 330-plus wickets in T20 cricket. He has been excellent for various teams across different leagues. As per ESPNcricinfo, he is among the five all-rounders with over 5,000 runs and 300-plus wickets in the shortest format of the game. Dwayne Bravo, Andre Russell, Kieron Pollard and Shakib Al Hasan have achieved this feat.
Second-highest wicket-taker for Afghanistan in T20Is
Nabi has claimed 90 wickets from 117 T20Is at an average of 28.24. The veteran all-rounder has claimed three four-wicket hauls in this format. He is Afghanistan's second-highest wicket-taker in T20Is. He is behind talisman Rashid Khan's tally of 128 scalps. Mujeeb Ur Rahman trails Nabi in terms of T20I wickets. The spin trio are the only Afghan bowlers with 50-plus T20I wickets.
Nabi has struggled against Sri Lanka in T20Is
Nabi's T20I record against Sri Lanka is far from decent. He has amassed only 53 runs from six T20Is against the Lankan Lions. With the ball, Nabi claimed two scalps versus SL tonight. Overall, he has claimed only six wickets in as many matches, at an average of 19. He has maintained an impressive economy rate of 6.33.
A look at his exceptional T20I numbers
Playing his 117th T20I, Nabi became the second Afghanistan batter to complete 2,000 (2,003) runs. He has maintained a decent strike rate of 139.19 while slamming five fifties. With the ball, he has claimed 90 wickets for Afghanistan at an average of 28.24. He has returned with three four-wicket hauls. His best T20I figures of 4/10 came against Ireland in 2017.
Here's the match summary
Sri Lanka were off to a good start before they were derailed in the middle overs. Sadeera Samarawickrama and Angelo Mathews played crucial knocks while adding 66 runs together. This helped SL reach a decent total of 187/6. Nabi starred with 2/25. In reply, Afghanistan never got going and were bundled out for only 115. Mathews returned with 2/9 from his two overs.
