The Night a Father Became a Teammate : Nabi, Eisakhil Script History as First Father-Son Duo in BPL

Every man dreams, at least once, of having his father beside him at the most important moment of his professional life. Few are fortunate enough to experience it. Fewer still get to live it under stadium lights, with thousands watching and history waiting to be written. On a Sunday evening in Sylhet, that rare dream unfolded when Hassan Eisakhil walked out to bat alongside his father, Mohammad Nabi, in the Bangladesh Premier League.It was not just a cricketing first; it was a moment shaped by love, respect, discipline, and years of quiet preparation. Unlike the often openly expressive bond between fathers and daughters, the father–son relationship is usually built differently. It carries warmth but also distance. Love exists alongside fear, admiration alongside silence, and guidance alongside expectation. That complex relationship found its most beautiful expression when Nabi and Eisakhil shared the same crease in a top-tier T20 league for the first time in history.A Historic First in Franchise CricketHassan Eisakhil and Mohammad Nabi became the first father-son duo to bat together in a major T20 league, scripting a landmark moment in the Bangladesh Premier League. Playing for Noakhali Express against Dhaka Capitals, the duo turned an ordinary league match into a piece of cricket folklore. For Nabi, a veteran Afghanistan star with over two decades of professional experience, it was a moment he had waited for quietly. For Eisakhil, just 19 and making his debut in an overseas franchise tournament, it was a leap into the deep end made easier by the presence of the man who taught him the game.A Debut Written in Confidence and CourageBefore the toss, Nabi presented his son with the Noakhali Express cap. It was symbolic, emotional, and powerful—a father formally welcoming his son into the professional world he himself had mastered. Eisakhil, the 20th player used by Noakhali this season after six straight defeats, was suddenly carrying both opportunity and expectation. He responded with a breathtaking innings. Eisakhil scored 92 off 60 balls, striking seven fours and five sixes at a strike rate of 153.33. His knock laid the foundation for Noakhali’s highest total of the tournament, 184 for 7, and ended their losing streak with a commanding 41-run victory. On a night of pressure, the youngster batted with freedom, clarity, and maturity far beyond his years.Technique Passed Down, Style Born NaturallyWatching Eisakhil bat felt familiar to many. The relaxed stance, strong bottom hand, and elegant driving bore striking similarities to Nabi’s batting style. Yet both father and son were clear this was not imitation but instinct. Eisakhil began with crisp cuts and flicks before opening up with powerful pulls and clean straight sixes. His innings featured a 101-run opening partnership with Soumya Sarkar and later a 53-run fourth-wicket stand with Nabi himself. Observers couldn’t miss the resemblance, but Eisakhil insisted it was natural. Nabi agreed, proudly stating that his son had found his own rhythm.The Moment the Stadium Held Its BreathThe defining moment arrived in the 14th over when Mohammad Nabi walked out to join his son. The applause was instant and emotional. Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Nabi’s long-time Afghanistan teammate now playing for Dhaka, ensured the pair shared a warm embrace in the middle of an unscripted moment that captured hearts far beyond the boundary. For the next few overs, cricket paused to make room for something bigger. Nabi largely played second fiddle, contributing 17 off 13 balls, while Eisakhil dominated the partnership. Between deliveries, there were constant conversations. Nabi advised his son on what the bowler might attempt: pace, slower balls, and angles. Eisakhil listened, waited, and executed. This partnership was not built overnight. Nabi revealed that the pair had spent nearly 90 minutes preparing the day before the match. He put his son through intense drills, using sidearm throwdowns to simulate match pace. They discussed bowlers, field settings, and pressure situations. Eisakhil absorbed it all.More Than a Missed CenturyEisakhil fell just eight runs short of a century, dismissed soon after his father. Yet there was no regret. He admitted he was attempting big shots to push the team total higher. The personal milestone mattered less than the collective outcome. The duo’s bond extended beyond the match. Throughout the BPL, Nabi worked closely with his son in the nets. There were moments when Eisakhil helped his father pack his kit after training, a quiet reminder that even legends are fathers first. The Bangladesh Premier League gained more than a record that night. It gained a moment of soul. In a sport often measured by numbers, this was a reminder that cricket is also about relationships, sacrifices, and dreams passed from one generation to the next. On that Sunday in Sylhet, a son did not just announce himself to the world. He walked beside his father, carried his lessons forward, and proved that some dreams when shared, become history.