Afghanistan captain Rashid Khan was over the moon after they defeated Bangladesh in their final T20 World Cup 2024 Super 8s match and qualified for the semifinals. Afghanistan clinched a heroic and thrilling win over Najmul Shanto's Bangladesh by 8 runs via the DLS method.
However, the match also had its fair share of controversy after the 33-year-old Naib grabbed his hamstring and dropped on the ground, just a few seconds before rain interrupted Bangladesh's run chase.
Afghanistan had a hazardous start when their batters failed to make an impression against Bangladesh's bowling arsenal, scoring only 115 runs. However, some excellent bowling by their skipper Rashid (4/23 spell) and Naveen-ul-Haq (4/26 spell) allowed Afghanistan to score their most significant win in ICC events.
Rashid Khan opined how little Naib's scenario impacted the game and how it was just a normal on-field injury in a cricket match.
"Well, I think he had some cramp. I don't know what happened to him. I don't know what's going on on social media. But, that doesn't matter. It's just an on-field injury. We didn't lose any overs, the rain came, and we just went off (the field). It's not something that made any massive difference in the game. returned to the field in 5 minutes, and there was no massive difference. For me, it was just an injury and needed some time," Rashid said in his post-match press conference.
Meanwhile, Australia spinner Adam Zampa shared the incident on his Instagram story and cried foul over the same. He captioned the post: “The old rainstring”.
Afghanistan will now gear up for their ever-crucial semi-final against an unbeaten South Africa in the semi-final on June 26 at the Brian Lara Cricket Stadium in Tarouba, Trinidad.
