Mohammad Nabi to retire from Test cricket after Bangladesh match

The 34-year old has been a key part of his nation's rise in world cricket, featuring in Afghanistan's first-ever T20I and ODI, before appearing in their landmark maiden Test match against India in 2018.

He also featured in his side's first Test win, a seven-wicket victory in Dehradun over fellow red-ball newcomers Ireland in March 2019, but having helped Afghanistan rise rapidly through the ranks in recent years, he feels like now is the time to pass the torch.

His last action for his country in the five-day format will be in the ongoing one-off Test against Bangladesh in Chittagong.

"Test cricket is an important format that every cricketer wants to play," Nabi said in a video statement released by the Afghanistan Cricket Board.

"I have served Afghanistan for the last 18 years. It was my dream as well to help Afghanistan obtain Test status and that dream is realised now. We have a maximum of 1-2 Test per year and I want, instead of me, that a young player gets to play, since the emerging youngsters are playing well in domestic cricket. I want them to get the chance they deserve so that we have a good Test team in the future as well."

Nabi did confirm that he will continue to represent his nation in the shorter formats, for which he has amassed 189 combined ODI and T20I appearances.

"I will strive to play ODIs and T20Is for Afghanistan as long as I am able to," he said.