It is worth mentioning that Afghanistan qualified for their first ever T20 World Cup semi-final, making history after a dramatic win over Bangladesh but it was somehow overshadowed by the all-rounder Gulbadin Naib’s acts.
Although expected to be instrumental in their semifinal against South Africa, his on-field behavior during the Bangladesh match has been criticized and amused in equal measure.
Towards the crucial final overs of Bangladesh’s chase with rain threatening to stop the game and put Australia through, Gulbadin dramatically fell on the field clutching his leg.
This came soon after television cameras caught Jonathan Trott, England coach for Bangladesh instructing his players to slow down as per DLS target coming into play.
The AF captain Rashid Khan later referred Naib’s fall as cramps which however raised eyebrows given his energetic performance that followed.
After taking a wicket in two crucial overs he bowled he celebrated wildly before joining his teammates in jubilation at securing semi final place. Australian all-rounder Mitchel Marsh described Gulbadin Naib’s action as “one of the funniest things I’ve ever seen on a cricket field.” Initially disappointed by this outcome Marsh has told Australian media “I was almost crying with laughter at the end of it. It didn’t matter how good it was because we got thrashed. So we can laugh about it now – but gee it was funny. It was outstanding.”
Adding fuel to this fire, Naib later posted a picture on social media featuring him together with team physiotherapist under caption “wonders can happen.”
Gulbadin Naib is likely to recover from this alleged injury and be available for selection for semi-finals despite these controversies.
This incident has ignited discussion about gamesmanship within cricket where some people see Naib’s actions as clever tactics. While others consider them unsporting whereby other individuals still remain unconvinced that either had occurred. But this has undoubtedly made Afghanistan’s historic world cup campaign even more interesting.
