-
- Published: June 26, 2024 22:59
New Delhi: Afghanistan is creating whirlpools in the cricketing field after they defeated world champions Australia and Bangladesh in the Super 8. The Rashid Khan-led side has never reached the semis of any major ICC tournament and only got the full membership of ICC only 7 years back in 2017.
However, the main talking point of the Super 8 has been Gulbadin Naib’s alleged ‘hamstring theatrics’. Playing against Bangladesh the Atlans of Afghanistan was hanging by a thread. In a rain-curtailed game, the Afghans were ahead only by 2 runs. Sensing the gravity of the situation, Afghanistan’s coach Jonathan Trott was seen instructing his players relentlessly to slow down the tempo of the game.
In such a situation, Naib who was seen fielding at the slips in the 12th over was seen sitting down abruptly holding his hamstring. Sensing an emergency, the medical team of Afghanistan rushed immediately to tend to Naib’s injury. But after the injury when Naib returned to the field, the Afghan all-rounder seemed perfectly fine and even bowled a couple of overs!
“Hey mate I am feeling not well….”: Naveen ul-Haq’s reaction to the incident
Naib’s onfield drama has received a mixed bag of criticism and cheerful banter. While people like Naveen-ul-Haq have made a comical gesture towards the entire incident, skipper Rashid Khan was visibly angry from the unnecessary delay in the play.
Naveen in particular took to his social media as he posted a comical video of the entire incident. Haq’s “Welcome” was well received by his teammates. Several Afghani players commented on the post of Haq with Naib himself commenting- “Hey mate I am felling not well….Hamstring problem.”
View this post on Instagram
However, things might not end up cheerfully for the Afghans if the ICC decide to take the matter under strict scrutiny. This could mean trouble for Naib with the possibility of a 1 match ban for Afghanistan’s all-rounder.