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Head coach Matt Walker praises Mohammad Nabi for his contribution to Kent's Vitality Blast T20 campaign

Matt Walker says Kent would welcome back Mohammad Nabi any time after his brief but successful spell with the club.

The Afghanistan all-rounder was a popular and influential member of the dressing room after being signed to play in the Vitality Blast T20.

The 34-year-old was due to play the opening 11 group games but was denied a playing swansong when the game against Sussex at Canterbury on August 16 was washed out.

Mohammed Nabi took eight T20 wickets during his time with Kent Picture: Ady Kerry
Mohammed Nabi took eight T20 wickets during his time with Kent Picture: Ady Kerry

He finished his spell with 147 runs from nine innings (average 18.38; strike rate 153.12) with the highlight being an extraordinary knock of 43 not out from just 12 balls in the win over Surrey at The Oval.

He also took eight wickets at an average of 28 with an economy rate of 7.23.

Head coach Walker said Nabi, a veteran of 121 ODIs, fitted into the Kent dressing room superbly. There were certainly no airs and graces from the man known as 'Mr President.'

Walker said: "I think we've been very lucky in getting the right type of person and Mohammad definitely fell into that category.

"He was exactly what we needed from a playing point of view, a spinning all-rounder, and someone who can dominate with the bat.

Mohammad Nabi scored his runs at a strike rate of more than 150 Picture: Ady Kerry
Mohammad Nabi scored his runs at a strike rate of more than 150 Picture: Ady Kerry

"He showed everyone his ability and what a fantastic cricketer he is.

"We saw amazing glimpses of what he can do with the bat and when he gets going he's great to watch, but more than his batting was his mastery around his bowling.

"Just to see how clever he is, how he was able to be one step ahead of the batsmen, constantly taking the pace off.

"He was just a brilliant bloke, he enjoyed his time with us and he fitted into the environment brilliantly.

"He's a quiet individual but he's probably the coolest cricketer I've ever come across and he was very generous with his time with (fellow spinners) Imran Qayyum and Marcus O'Riordan.

"He was just a lovely man, he just got on with it, he fitted into the group and added his personality nicely to the group, he had a very calming influence."

Nabi's spell with Kent was restricted because Afghanistan are due in Bangladesh this week where they will play a warm-up game before contesting the inaugural Test between the sides at Chittagong, starting from September 5.

The two countries will then be joined by Zimbabwe for a triangular T20I series, set to start in Dhaka on September 13. The final will take place Mirpur on 24 September.

Read more: All the latest sports news in Kent

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