ICC T20 World Cup 2024: Afghanistan achieved the impossible when they defeated Bangladesh to qualify for their first semi-finals of an ICC event. Something that Bangladesh has not done yet.
It was a glorious victory that tested the grit and competitiveness of Afghans. And the players passed with flying colors. It was a victory that thrived with the blood and sweat of everyone involved. A moment that no one will ever forget.
But this victory also had its own set of controversies. One incident by Gulbadin Naib where he faked an injury to slow down the game has divided the cricket fraternity all over the world.
ICC T20 World Cup 2024: Oscar For Naib?
The incident happened in the 12th over when Afghanistan took over Bangladesh in DLS par score. The rain started pouring down heavily and Afghanistan coach Jonathan Trott asked his players to slow down the game.
That is when Naib went to the ground while holding his legs for a ‘supposed’ hamstring injury. It left the skipper Rashid Khan perplexed as he kept asking the all-rounder what had happened.
Naib was seen limping off the field as the rain stopped the game. But as soon as the rain stopped, Naib took the field again after the rain and was in perfectly fine condition.
Spirit Of Game Questioned?
This incident had left the cricketing world divided. Simon Doull on the commentary criticized the all-rounder. “The coach sends a message out to slow it down and the first slip just dives on the ground. That is unacceptable. Gone off anyway. I get that might have gone off anyway for the rain.”
But later, he was also laughing a the antics of Gulbadin. Even Indian cricketer R. Ashwin took a dig at Naib and hilariously asked for a red card for the player.
While this did not affect the game at all, it had raised a question among everyone is this kind of behavior fine? Is it acceptable in the spirit of the game? Doull himself later stated that if it is in the rules, it is in the spirits.
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