Afghanistan all-rounder Gulbadin Naib went down with cramps during his team’s T20 World Cup 2024 Super 8 match against Bangladesh in St Vincent on Tuesday (June 25).
The incident triggered controversy as moments earlier Afghanistan head coach Jonathan Trott was signalling his players to slow down the proceedings with rain around the corner.
At 81/7, Bangladesh were behind on DLS Method. No further play from that point on would have ensured a semifinal spot for Afghanistan.
The play was stooped as Naib, positioned at first slip, received treatment. His actions even left Rashid Khan annoyed as he kept asking the all-rounder what had happened. As the rain interrupted play again, Naib was seen helped off the field.
Former New Zealand cricketer-turned-commentator Simon Doull was not one bit impressed with Gulbadin Naib antics and called it unacceptable.
"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. Gone off anyway. I get that might have gone off anyway for the rain," Doull said on-air.
Bangladesh opener Litton Das also saw the funny side of it as he was seen talking to Mohammad Nabi about it. Once the video was played again, the commentary box burst into laughter with Pommie Mbengwa saying, "Oscar, Emmy?"
The rain delay proved brief and Gulbadin Naib returned to field once play resumed. He would even come on to bowl the 15th over.
