Seasoned Afghani spinner Mohammad Nabi reigned supreme for St. Lucia Zouks against the St. Kitts and Nevis Patriots on Thursday, August 27 in the 2020 Hero Caribbean Premier League. Nabi became the first bowler to pick a five-wicket haul in Season 7 of the Caribbean Premier League, devouring the Patriots top-order with his devilish off-spin.
The 35-year-old bowled three of his overs in the powerplay, conceding just 11 runs while picking up a flurry of wickets. Nabi accounted for the wickets of Chris Lynn, Evin Lewis, Nick Kelly and Denesh Ramdin in the powerplay, to break the back of the St. Kitts and Nevis Patriots top-order.
With his consistent line and length, coupled with his enticing off-breaks, Nabi perfectly exploited the pitch and conditions. “It is a good surface for the spinners, it's soft and gripping. Wicket is soft, spinners get a chance to control the situation. I’m sure that’s why the captain gave the spinners most of the overs early on,” said Mohammad Nabi on his remarkable performance with the ball.
The Afghani all-rounder returned in the death overs to pick up his fifth wicket of the game, forcing Sohail Tanvir to play a reckless sweep shot and end up being caught in the deep. Nabi ended the innings with figures of 5/15 in his four overs.
First five wicket haul for Mohammad Nabi in his 264th T20 match.
— Sarang Bhalerao (@bhaleraosarang) August 27, 2020
Chris Lynn has been dismissed for 5th time by a spinner in the CPL 2020 in 5 innings [Nabi (twice), Rashid, Santner & Tahir]
Lynn averages 5.8 v spin in CPL 2020 #CPL20
The off-spinner becomes the first bowler from St. Lucia Zouks to pick a five-wicket haul in the CPL, and is also the first player from Afghanistan to record that feat. This five-wicket haul is also the best figures recorded in the 2020 Caribbean Premier League, and is the third best figures recorded all-time in the competition, behind Shakib Al Hasan and Sohail Tanvir.
With today’s stellar showing with the ball, Nabi also became the third highest wicket-taker of CPL 2020, behind countryman Mujeeb Ur Rahman and teammate Scott Kuggeleign. The 35-year-old has also contributed with the bat for the Zouks, and is currently the second highest run getter for his franchise, behind Roston Chase.
