The final Super 8 Group 1 match of the 2024 T20 World Cup between Afghanistan and Bangladesh was marred by drama and controversy, centering around Afghan player Gulbadin Naib. Naib faced a storm of criticism on social media, accused of feigning an injury to deliberately slow down the game.
Afghanistan was leading by 2 runs under the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) method when a third rain interruption threatened to halt play. Positioned at first slip, Naib suddenly clutched his hamstring and collapsed, sparking outrage among commentators and fans alike.
As light rain began to fall at Arnos Vale Ground, Afghanistan’s head coach, Jonathan Trott, was seen urging his players to “slow down the game,” knowing that a rain delay would secure their spot in the semi-finals.
Naib’s actions, however, drew widespread condemnation. Commentator Simon Doull slammed the Afghan all-rounder for his “cheap trick,” while former England captain Michael Vaughan sarcastically remarked on X (formerly Twitter), “Great to see Gulbadin become the first cricketer in the history of the game to get a wicket 25 mins after being shot.”
Doull, expressing his frustration, said on air, “I understand what the coach was trying to do, but this is unacceptable delaying tactics.” Indian cricketer R Ashwin also weighed in, calling for a “red card” for Naib.
The incident has sparked a heated debate about sportsmanship and the ethics of gameplay, with Naib at the center of a social media firestorm.