Nabi to retire from Test cricket

Chittagong : Former Afghanistan captain Mohammad Nabi has announced his decision to retire from Test cricket after the ongoing one-off match against Bangladesh.

The 34-year-old seasoned all-rounder, who has featured in three Test matches for Afghanistan, including the landmark maiden game against India last year, will continue to play white-ball cricket.

He wants the country's youngsters to take centre stage in the longest format.

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

"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."