An all-rounder of value, Naib initially batted lower down the order and served as a handy change bowler, capable of chipping in with a few overs of medium pace. He began his cricketing journey in 2008 and quickly earned his first international cap, making his debut against Canada in 2011. Naib struggled to make a strong impact with either bat or ball in his early years, and the lack of a consistent run in the national side made it difficult for him to cement his place. Despite dealing with family health concerns, he persevered and earned a recall during Afghanistan’s tour of Zimbabwe in mid-2014. However, the comeback did not go as planned, and he fell out of the selectors’ favour ahead of the 2015 World Cup. Forced to reinvent himself, Naib returned in mid-2016 in a new role as a middle-order batsman. This transformation paid dividends, as he showcased newfound maturity with an unbeaten 82 against Zimbabwe. Although a string of low scores followed, the team continued to back him, and he gradually began to demonstrate his undeniable talent. When Afghanistan’s campaign at the 2018 World Cup qualifiers started to falter, Naib was promoted to open the batting. He responded with crucial contributions in must-win matches against the United Arab Emirates and Ireland.
