Mohammad Nabi

His break came during a tour of India in the 2000s, when a century against a touring MCC side caught the eye of Mike Gatting. Nabi went on to represent the MCC, and his first-class debut came in their colours. He then made his name at the 2009 ICC World Cricket League Division Three, where his 11 wickets helped Afghanistan reach the 2009 ICC World Cup Qualifier. Afghanistan earned ODI status at that event, and Nabi scored 58 against Scotland on his ODI debut.

When Afghanistan played their first first-class fixture, an Intercontinental Cup game against a Zimbabwe XI, Nabi made 102 in the first innings. His T20I debut followed in February 2010 against Ireland. That same year he captained Afghanistan at the Asian Games, though Nawroz Mangal took back the role once the event ended.

In domestic and franchise cricket, Nabi turned out for the Afghan Cheetahs in Pakistan's Faysal Bank T20 Cup in 2011-12. With Sylhet Royals in the 2013 Bangladesh Premier League, he claimed 16 wickets in 13 matches, ranked among the leading run-makers, and helped the side reach the semi-finals.

As captain, Nabi guided Afghanistan at the 2014 Asia Cup, where victory over Bangladesh gave the country its first win against a Test nation; it was their only win of that tournament. He also led the team at the 2015 World Cup, when Afghanistan beat Scotland for their first World Cup victory, and he was part of the side that beat the West Indies, the eventual champions, at the 2016 T20 World Cup. Afghanistan were later granted Test status by the ICC.