‘This is Unacceptable… Match Fee Gone’: Afghanistan's Gulbadin Naib Criticised for Deliberate Delaying Proceedings

The final T20 World Cup 2024 Super 8 Group 1 fixture between Afghanistan and Bangladesh was full of drama with rain delays making the permutation and combination for the qualification to the semi-final for both teams even more complicated.

And to make matters even more ‘drama-filled’, Gulbadin Naib is out on a show to delay the proceedings. With Afghanistan ahead by the DLS method by 2 runs when the third rain interruption threatened to stop play, Naib, the veteran Afghan player and former skipper, fielding at first slip suddenly went down clutching his hamstring. On any regular instance, you would be worried about the player’s fitness, but in this case, Naib’s acting skills were far removed from his skills as a cricketer.

Absolutely Furious Rashid Khan Throws the Bat At His Afghanistan Teammate For Refusing a Run! Leaves Commentator in Disbelief

As light drizzle started at the Arnos Vale Ground, the broadcast cameras spotted Afghanistan head coach Jonathan Trott asking Afghan players to try and slow down the proceedings as a rain delay would mean Afghanistan, being two runs ahead, will be on course to make the semi-final.

Noor Ahmad was readying himself to bowl but Naib’s act, clearly, on account of what Trott hinted at did not look good, neither did it go down well with the commentators on air, especially, Simon Doull, who blasted the Afghan allrounder for his cheap trick. Even Skipper Rashid Khan was left unimpressed with Naib’s tactics.

“I do get what the coach was trying to say and sending a message a message but this is unacceptable p delaying tactics,” Doull said on air. And on replays it was clearly visible that Naib had in fact gone down deliberately and even though he was seen being carried out by Ibrahim Zadran, the moment play resumed, Naib was up and running, once again.

But Naib’s act was the perfect fodder for social media:

R Ashwin wrote, ” Red card for Gulbadin Naib

Michael Vaughan wrote, “Spirit of cricket is alive & kicking …”

Mitchell McLenaghan wrote, “That should be a 5 run penalty!!!”

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‘This is Unacceptable… Match Fee Gone’: Afghanistan’s Naib Criticised for Deliberate Delaying Proceedings

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