(Source Instagram)
Shortly after Afghanistan’s head coach Jonathan Trott signaled for his players to slow down in their crucial T20 World Cup match against Bangladesh, Gulbadin Naib, positioned at first slip, suddenly grasped his hamstring and collapsed on the ground in apparent pain.
The on-field umpire swiftly halted play, coinciding with the arrival of rain, leading both teams to leave the field. This incident occurred just before Noor Ahmad was about to deliver the fifth ball of the 12th over, with Bangladesh at 81/7 in pursuit of 116 runs.
Afghanistan needed a victory to advance to the semi-finals and were marginally ahead by two runs according to the DLS method at that moment.
Naib’s sudden “fitness” issue sparked mixed reactions, with some accusing the Afghan cricketer of violating the spirit of the game. Indian offspinner Ravichandran Ashwin jokingly suggested on social media that Naib deserved a red card.
Play resumed shortly afterward, with Bangladesh given a revised target of 114 runs from 19 overs. Naib, now seemingly recovered, returned to the field before the start of the 13th over.
Afghanistan eventually clinched victory by eight runs, marking a historic moment in their cricketing journey.
Naib’s actions stirred significant debate on social platforms, prompting him to later respond to Ashwin’s comment with a light-hearted remark, “Kabi khushi kabi gham main huta hai Hamstring.”
Subsequently, he expressed gratitude to Afghanistan team physio Prasanth Panchada for his exceptional treatment of his hamstring problem.
