NEW DELHI: After Afghanistan’s thrilling victory over Bangladesh in their final Super Eight match, which secured their first-ever spot in the ICC T20 World Cup semifinals, questions have arisen regarding Gulbadin Naib‘s cramp in the 12th over.
This unusual incident occurred when Bangladesh, chasing a revised target of 114 in 19 overs, were at 81 for 7.Noting that Afghanistan was ahead on the DLS count at that point, coach Jonathan Trott signaled the players to slow down the game. Just before the next ball of the 12th over, slip fielder Gulbadin Naib suddenly dropped to the ground, clutching his hamstring.
This unusual incident occurred when Bangladesh, chasing a revised target of 114 in 19 overs, were at 81 for 7.Noting that Afghanistan was ahead on the DLS count at that point, coach Jonathan Trott signaled the players to slow down the game. Just before the next ball of the 12th over, slip fielder Gulbadin Naib suddenly dropped to the ground, clutching his hamstring.
This sequence of events left commentators and cricketers on social media in splits.
India’s star spinner Ravichandran Ashwin also took to social media and jokingly wrote: “red card for Gulbadin Naib”.
After Afghanistan sealed the semifinal berth, Naib came up with a crypitic reply to Ashwin.
“Kabi khushi kabi gham main huta hai hamstring,” Naib said.
The Afghanistan Cricket Board shared images of the elated players, such as Rashid Khan and Naib, hugging each other following the team’s successful defense of a modest adjusted target of 114 runs when facing Bangladesh.
Supporters of Afghan cricket across various nations commemorated the unprecedented feat by sharing clips of themselves performing the traditional Attan dance.
