Cricket

Afghanistan's Gulbadin Naib's Dramatic Fall Raises Questions of SportsmanshipIn a controversial incident during the T20 World Cup match between Afghanistan and Bangladesh, Gulbadin Naib's sudden collapse on the field sparked both amusement and outrage. The incident occurred in the 12th over, with Bangladesh trailing on the Duckworth-Lewis par score.As Afghanistan coach Jonathan Trott signaled to his players to slow down the game, Naib, fielding in the slip cordon, complained of cramps. However, commentators and former players questioned the genuineness of his discomfort, as it coincided with Trott's request to slow down the pace."The coach sends a message out to say slow it down, slow it down and the first slip just dives on the ground needlessly. That is unacceptable," said commentator Simon Doull.Zimbabwean commentator Pommie Mbangwa quipped, "Oscar, Emmy?"Social media erupted with reactions, with many accusing Naib of feigning injury to avoid Bangladesh's victory on the DLS method. "This is cheating from Afghanistan," tweeted Imran Siddique.Naib was treated and taken off the field, but returned after a rain delay. He even dismissed Tanzim Hasan in the 15th over, reducing Bangladesh to 92 for 8.The incident drew criticism from former players. India's Ravichandran Ashwin tweeted, "Red card for Gulbadin Naib." Michael Vaughan wrote, "Great to see Gulbadin become the first cricketer in the history of the game to get a wicket 25 mins after being shot..."Ian Smith added, "I've a dodgy knee for the last 6 months, I am gonna see Gulbadin Naib's doctor straight after the game. He's the 8th wonder of the world right now."Despite the controversy, Afghanistan eventually prevailed by eight runs to enter their maiden World Cup semifinal. However, the incident has raised questions about the spirit of the game and the ethics of using tactics to manipulate the Duckworth-Lewis method.

Ravichandran Ashwin, the Indian all-rounder, has come to the defense of Afghanistan's Gulbadin Naib, who has faced criticism for his actions during the T20 World Cup Super 8 match against Bangladesh. Afghanistan made history by reaching the semi-finals of the T20 World Cup for the first time.During the match, Naib allegedly faked an injury after coach Jonathan Trott signaled for him to slow down. Afghanistan was ahead on DLS when rain interrupted the match. Naib immediately collapsed to the ground. While his antics initially sparked laughter, fans and experts later accused him of cheating.However, Ashwin, who had initially joked that Naib should receive a red card, has now defended the player. He emphasized that Naib was playing for the entire nation of Afghanistan. "Gulbadin Naib fell that way. Everyone said that is a penalizable offense. But what the hell, man? The guy is playing for his country, trying to win a World Cup, qualify," Ashwin said on his YouTube channel.Ashwin further argued that all the players in the Afghanistan team were playing for each other and for their country. He praised their unity, saying, "In Afghanistan, it is not just momentum. It is a country with so much hope. They are playing for one another. This playing for one another, we can say a thousand things about it. We can say it to so many people. Doesn't India play for one another? For the badge? Of course. But Afghanistan, at this stage of their cricketing journey, are playing for one another like I have never seen anything like this."Ahead of Afghanistan's first T20 World Cup semi-final appearance, head coach Jonathan Trott expressed confidence in his team. "We go into the semifinal with no scarring or no history. This is uncharted territory for us. But, by no means, do we feel like we're going into the semifinal just to compete. We're there to win the semifinal. We've beaten some major teams," Trott said after the victory over Bangladesh.

Gulbadin Naib's apparent bout of cramp during Afghanistan's crucial Super Eight match against Bangladesh in St Vincent raised eyebrows among television commentators. The incident occurred at a pivotal moment in the game, with Afghanistan needing a victory to qualify for the T20 World Cup semi-finals at Australia's expense.After taking Bangladesh's sixth and seventh wickets in the 11th over, Afghanistan appeared to be in control. However, as Bangladesh approached the DLS par score, Afghanistan coach Jonathan Trott was seen signaling to his players with rain threatening.Between the third and fourth deliveries of the 12th over, Naib, fielding at first slip, suddenly clutched the back of his leg and collapsed to the ground. He remained motionless, requiring treatment and assistance from teammate Naveen-ul-Haq and a support staff member. As Naib was helped off the field, drizzle began to fall, and the pitch was covered.The interruption was brief, but when play resumed, Bangladesh's chase was reduced by one over, and the DLS target was revised to 114. Najibullah Zadran replaced Naib as a substitute, with Naib eventually returning to the field in the 13th over.Naib's absence raised questions about potential time-wasting tactics, as time-wasting by either the batting or bowling side is a punishable offense. However, Naib's return to the field and his subsequent bowling of the 15th over, in which he dismissed Tanzim Hasan, seemed to dispel any suspicions.The incident highlighted the intense pressure and scrutiny that players face in high-stakes matches. With Afghanistan's World Cup hopes on the line, Naib's apparent cramp raised concerns about the team's ability to maintain focus and composure under pressure.

Afghanistan and Bangladesh Face Off in Crucial Super Eight ClashAs the Super Eight phase of the Men's T20 World Cup 2024 draws to a close, Afghanistan and Bangladesh will face off in a pivotal match that could determine their semi-final fate.Afghanistan, riding high after their historic win against Australia, will be looking to secure a spot in the last four. Their openers, Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran, have been in scintillating form, while their bowlers, led by Gulbadin Naib and Naveen-ul-Haq, have shown their versatility.Bangladesh, on the other hand, have struggled in the tournament, losing their first two matches against India and Australia. Their batting has been particularly disappointing, with the top order failing to fire. However, they will be eager to prove their worth and end their World Cup campaign on a high note.The match will be played at Arnos Vale in Kingstown, where teams batting first have won every game. Afghanistan will be confident after their recent victory at the same venue, while Bangladesh will be looking to break the trend.Key Players to Watch:* Gulbadin Naib (Afghanistan): The all-rounder has been in impressive form with the ball, taking four wickets against Australia.* Shakib Al Hasan (Bangladesh): The veteran all-rounder has not had the best of tournaments, but he remains a key player for Bangladesh.* Rahmanullah Gurbaz (Afghanistan): The wicketkeeper-batter has been in prolific form, scoring three century stands with Ibrahim Zadran.Team News:* Bangladesh may bring back Taskin Ahmed or Shoriful Islam to replace Jaker Ali.* Afghanistan are likely to go in unchanged.Quotes:* "We've just got to focus on our match against Bangladesh and when all the other matches are played. We'll know what we need to do and the decisions we need to make." - Afghanistan coach Jonathan Trott* "One thing you've got to acknowledge is you can't fight genetics. We're looking at the strength and conditioning element, we're looking at different things of how we can do it a Bangladeshi way." - Bangladesh assistant coach Nic Pothas

Delhi Capitals Bolster Squad with Gulbadin Naib as Mitchell Marsh ReplacementDelhi Capitals have secured the services of Afghanistan allrounder Gulbadin Naib as a replacement for the injured Mitchell Marsh for the remainder of the Indian Premier League (IPL) season. Naib, who was acquired for his reserve price of INR 50 lakh, will make his IPL debut with the Delhi-based franchise.Marsh's departure from the IPL was necessitated by a hamstring injury sustained during the tournament. The Australian allrounder played four matches for DC, scoring 61 runs and claiming one wicket. His absence has left a void in the team's all-rounder department.Naib, a seasoned campaigner in international cricket, brings a wealth of experience to the Delhi Capitals. The 31-year-old has represented Afghanistan in 100 T20Is, scoring over 1,500 runs and taking 80 wickets. He is known for his aggressive batting and effective medium-pace bowling.DC head coach Ricky Ponting expressed confidence in Naib's abilities, stating that he is a "quality allrounder" who can contribute with both bat and ball. Ponting also revealed that Marsh's absence will not impact his availability for the T20 World Cup, which begins in June.The Delhi Capitals are currently sixth in the IPL standings with four wins from nine matches. They have a challenging schedule ahead, facing Mumbai Indians, Kolkata Knight Riders, Rajasthan Royals, Royal Challengers Bangalore, and Lucknow Super Giants in their remaining fixtures.Naib's addition to the squad is expected to provide DC with much-needed depth and versatility. His experience and all-round skills could prove invaluable as the team aims to secure a playoff berth.