AFG vs SL: Mohammad Nabi Hits Fastest ODI Half-century For Afghanistan; Goes Past Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman

The 38-year-old Afghanistan National Cricket Team all-rounder Mohammad Nabi played a breathtaking knock for his side in the do-or-die Asia Cup 2023 encounter against Sri Lanka National Cricket Team at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on Tuesday, September 05.

Sri Lanka won the toss and elected to bat first in the match. They batted quite well and posted a good total of 291/8 on the board. Kusal Mendis was the top performer for his side as he scored 92 runs off 84 balls, with 6 fours and 3 sixes.

Afghanistan needed to complete the run chase within 37.1 overs to progress to the next round and join Bangladesh, India, and Pakistan in the Super 4 stage of the Asia Cup 2023.

Chasing the target, Afghanistan were off to a poor start as they lost both star openers Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran early on in the innings. Then, Gulbadin Naib, Rahmat Shah, and Hashmatullah Shahidi played good knocks to keep their side in the game.

However, they still needed a game-changing innings to put some pressure back on Sri Lanka, and Mohammad Nabi, who came to bat No.6, played exactly that knock.

Mohammad Nabi Breaks Mujeeb Ur Rahman’s Record

Mohammad Nabi showcased sheer power-hitting and smashed the Sri Lanka bowlers all over the park. He batted with an aggressive intent throughout his innings and completed his half-century off 24 balls, with 6 fours and 3 sixes.

With this, he broke the record of Mujeeb Ur Rahman for the fastest half-century for Afghanistan in ODI cricket. Mujeeb recently hit a 26-ball fifty during the Afghanistan vs Pakistan three-match ODI series in Colombo. Previously, Rashid Khan held the record of the fastest fifty for Afghanistan in ODIs as he hit a 27-ball fifty against Ireland in Abu Dhabi in 2021.

Fastest fifty for Afghanistan in ODIs:

24 – Mohammad Nabi vs Sri Lanka in Lahore in 2023

26 – Mujeeb Ur Rahman vs Pakistan in Colombo in 2023

27 – Rashid Khan vs Ireland in Abu Dhabi in 2021

Mohammad Nabi’s breathtaking innings was brought to an end by the star spinner Maheesh Theekshana in the 27th over. He scored 65 runs off 32 balls, with 6 fours and 5 sixes, before getting dismissed.