Gulbadin Naib dramatically falling on his back, clutching his thigh after Afghanistan coach Jonathan Trott signalled his players to slow things down in the T20 World Cup match against Bangladesh caused both amusement and annoyance as former players questioned the genuineness of his discomfort. Naib, who was fielding in the slip cordon, complained of cramps during the 12th over bowled by spinner Noor Ahmad, after Trott was seen on camera asking his players to slow down as Bangladesh had fallen behind on the Duckworth-Lewis par score in the rain-hit Super 8 clash.

The match saw frequent rain interruptions and Bangladesh, at that stage, were 81 for 7, two runs behind on the DLS par score in a revised chase of 114 in 19 overs. Afghans eventually prevailed by eight runs to enter their maiden World Cup semifinal.

“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,” said Simon Doull while commentating.

Zimbabwean commentator Pommie Mbangwa quipped: “Oscar, Emmy?”.

This is Unacceptable

This is cheating from Afghanistan

Bangladesh scored 81 Runs before the rain and they were only 2 Runs behind par score and Gulbadin Naib do this to avoid Bangladesh victory on DLS

Once a cheater always a Cheater pic.twitter.com/oEnVPlcFCP

— Imran Siddique (@imransiddique89) June 25, 2024

Naib was given treatment and was taken off the field by teammate Naveen-ul-Haq and a support staff as it started raining again and players ran to the dugout. Later, Gulbadin Naib shared an image of Afghanistan’s physio with a cheeky caption: “Wonders can happen Prashanth Panchada My physio”

When play resumed after a shot delay, the target for Bangladesh was revised.

Naib was soon back on the field in the 13th over with Najibullah Zadran substituting him briefly. The all-rounder also rolled his arms over and dismissed Tanzim Hasan in the 15th over to reduce Bangladesh to 92 for 8.

Social media was also abuzz with players and fans reacting to the incident.

“Red card for Gulbadin Naib,” tweeted India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin in ‘X’.

Former England skipper Michael Vaughan wrote: “Spirit of cricket is alive & kicking… Great to see Gulbadin become the first cricketer in the history of the game to get a wicket 25 mins after being shot…” Former New Zealand cricketer and commentator Ian Smith said: “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.”

India all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin has thrown his weight behind Afghanistan star Gulbadin Naib amid criticism over his antics in the T20 World Cup Super 8 match against Bangladesh. Afghanistan wrote a new chapter in its cricketing history, qualifying for the T20 World Cup semi-finalists for the first time ever. During the dying embers of the match, Naib allegedly feigned injury after coach Jonathan Trott apparently sent signals slow down. Afghanistan were ahead of DLS with rain interrupting the match at that time. Naib immediately fell down on the ground. While his antics had sparked a laughing riot initially, fans and experts later criticised Naib for faking an injury, and accused the player of ‘cheating’.

However, Ashwin, who had jokingly said that Naib should be given a red card, has now defended the player, saying that he is playing for the whole 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.

Further sharing his views on the ‘cheating’ allegations, Ashwin suggested that not just Naib, all the players in the Afghanistan team are playing for one another, and the people back home. Ashwin added that he has never seen a team playing with such unity. 

“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 Indiaplay 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,” he added. 

Ahead of Afghanistan’s maiden T20 World Cup semi-final appearance, head coach Jonathan Trott affirmed his side was not perturbed by the big occasion.

“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 win over Bangladesh.

South Africa vs Afghanistan Live Streaming T20 World Cup 2024 Live Telecast: Afghanistan take on South Africa on Thursday at Port of Spain, Trinidad with a place in the T20 World Cup 2024 up for grabs. While Afghanistan will make their first appearance at the semi-final of a major ICC event, South Africa have played semi-finals of the T20 World Cup in 2009 and 2014, respectively. It will be a chance for both teams to create history as a first-ever final in any Cricket World Cup across both white-ball formats is within touching distance. While South Africa have been unbeaten so far, Afghanistan’s only blip came against the West Indies in the group stage.

Their dream run has been buoyed by wins over New Zealand and Australia, and Afghanistan side will fancy themselves for causing another upset, this time against perfect Proteas.

Notably, Afghanistan and South Africa have only played against each other twice at T20 World Cups. The Proteas recorded comfortable wins on both occasions in 2010 and 2016.

When will the South Africa vs Afghanistan, T20 World Cup Semi-Final match be played?

The South Africa vs Afghanistan, T20 World Cup Semi-Final match will be played on Thursday, June 27.

Where will the South Africa vs Afghanistan, T20 World Cup Semi-Final match be played?

The South Africa vs Afghanistan, T20 World Cup Semi-Final match will be played at the Kensington Oval in Port of Spain, Trinidad.

What time will the South Africa vs Afghanistan, T20 World Cup Semi-Final match start?

The South Africa vs Afghanistan, T20 World Cup Semi-Final match will start at 6 AM IST.

Which TV channels will telecast the South Africa vs Afghanistan, T20 World Cup Semi-Final match?

The South Africa vs Afghanistan, T20 World Cup Semi-Final will be telecasted on the Star Sports Network.

Where to follow the live streaming of the South Africa vs Afghanistan, T20 World Cup Semi-Final match?

The South Africa vs Afghanistan, T20 World Cup Semi-Final will be streamed on Disney+Hotstar (Free for mobile users).

(All the details are as per the information provided by the broadcaster)

Afghanistan will look keep their heartbeats in check on Thursday as they take on South Africa in the semi-final of the T20 World Cup 2024 in Port of Spain, Trinidad. The clash is being deemed as the battle of giant killers and perennial chokers since Afghanistan will be making their first semi-final appearance at a major ICC event after beating the likes of New Zealand and Australia. South Africa, on the other hand, are pretty familiar with such platforms, but often seem to crumble in games of this magnitude.

While fans eagerly wait for this clash, rain might have the final say. As per Accuweather, there is a possibility that rain might arrive at some point.

While the weather forecast suggests that the possibility of rain is around 1 per cent during the start of the match, there is high chance figure could rise up to 44 per cent. Even if there is rain on Thursday, ICC has alotted a reserve day for this match.

But, if no play is possible on both Thursday and Friday, Afghanistan will be knocked out. For the unversed, South Africa will be given a direct passage to the final due to their higher ranking during the Super 8 stage.

The Proteas had topped their groups in both the league stage, as well as the Super 8 stage. Afghanistan, on the other hand, finished second behind West Indies in the league phase, and India in Super 8s.

Afghanistan have been the revelation of this ICC showpiece. They found life and fighting spirit to rise above the ravages of war back in their country, best exemplified by an astounding win over 2021 winners Australia, whom they had never beaten before.

There were multiple heroes — skipper Rashid Khan has been immense throughout, pacers Fazalhaq Farooqi and Naveen-ul-Haq have given early breakthroughs, Gulbadin Naib conjured a miraculous spell against the Aussies while Mohammad Nabi remained perseverant.

Opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz leads the batting chart with 281 runs, while Farooqi is on top of the bowling list with 16 scalps.

It is a story in itself as how two Afghanistan players have raced past some marquee names to the top of the stats table.

(With PTI Inputs)

The Afghanistan vs Bangladesh T20 World Cup game saw a controversial moment, when Afghanistan’ Gulbadin Naib fell on the ground], apparently due to injury. Naib, who was fielding in the slip cordon, complained of cramps during the 12th over bowled by spinner Noor Ahmad, after Trott was seen on camera asking his players to slow down as Bangladesh had fallen behind on the Duckworth-Lewis par score in the rain-hit Super 8 clash.

The match saw frequent rain interruptions and Bangladesh, at that stage, were 81 for 7, two runs behind on the DLS par score in a revised chase of 114 in 19 overs. Afghans eventually prevailed by eight runs to enter their maiden World Cup semifinal.

“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,” said Simon Doull while commentating.

Zimbabwean commentator Pommie Mbangwa quipped: “Oscar, Emmy?”.

Naib was given treatment and was taken off the field by teammate Naveen-ul-Haq and a support staff as it started raining again and players ran to the dugout.

“Kabi khushi kabi gham main huta hai (It happens sometimes when you are happy or when you are sad). Hamstring,” Naib later said in a post on X, dotted with laughing emojis.

So, can Naib be banned if he was faking injury?

According to ICC’s Code of Conduct, ‘time-wasting’ is deemed a level 1 or 2 offense under Article 2.10.7. For Level 1 offense, maximum punishment is 100% match-fee fine and two suspension points. If a player is gioven four suspension points in one year, may be banned for either one Test match or two ODIs or T20Is.

Additionally, according to Article 41.9 of the ICC’s playing conditions for T20Is, a bowler or a fielder’s time-wasting technique is liable to be punished with a five-run penalty. The umpire has the authority to do so, but in the Afghanistan vs Bangladesh T20 World Cup match such a thing was not given.

There is a provision for invetigation after the game if a timewasting is found to be deliberate. “If the umpires believe that the act of time wasting was deliberate or repetitive, they may lodge a report under the ICC Code of Conduct. In such circumstances the Captain and/or any individual members of the fielding team responsible for the time wasting will be charged,” according to the ICC playing conditions.

No such news has come so far that the match officials and ICC are opening an investigation against Naib. Also, Naib has said that he was facing injury issues, which makes it difficult to prove that the time-wasting was deliberate.

Ravichandran Ashwin posted a cheeky comment on the Gulbadin Naib incident.© Twitter

On Tuesday, Afghanistan experienced their most important day in their cricket history so far. The team led by Rashid Khan defeated Bangladesh to knock out Australia and qualify for the first time ever in a T20 World Cup semi-final. However, there was one incident that seemed to mar the whole occasion for Afghanistan. It happened when Gulbadin Naib dramatically fell on his back, clutching his thigh after Trott signalled his players to slow things down.

But minutes later, not only was the all-rounder back on the field but he also went on to take Tanzim Hasan’s wicket, causing several former players and commentators to question the genuineness of his discomfort.

But Afghanistan captain Rashid Khan sought to play down the incident. 

“Well, he had some cramp, I don’t know what happened to him and I don’t know what’s going on in social media but that doesn’t matter – it’s just the end field injury which comes and then we haven’t lost any overs, the rain came and we just went off, it’s not something like brought a massive difference in the game,” Rashid khan.

“We came back on field after five minutes and there was no massive difference. For me, it’s just like a small injury comes in, then you have to take some time.”

This is Unacceptable

This is cheating from Afghanistan

Bangladesh scored 81 Runs before the rain and they were only 2 Runs behind par score and Gulbadin Naib do this to avoid Bangladesh victory on DLS

Once a cheater always a Cheater pic.twitter.com/oEnVPlcFCP

— ٰImran Siddique (@imransiddique89) June 25, 2024

Skipper Rashid Khan believes that Afghanistan’s maiden T20 World Cup semifinal qualification, following spectacular wins over New Zealand and Australia along the way, is a momentous feat that will inspire the youth of the strife-torn nation.

Afghanistan, who became a full ICC member only in 2017, scripted history by qualifying for their maiden T20 World Cup semifinal with a win over Bangladesh here.

“I think the semi-final is going to be a massive, massive like inspiration for the youngsters back home in Afghanistan. That Afghanistan team get into the semis for the first time,” Rashid said at the post match press conference.

“And we have done it under 19 level, but this level we haven’t done that. Even Super Eight was first time for us and then in semis,” he added.

Moments after the win, visuals of jubilant fans back home celebrating Afghanistan’s historic achievement started doing the rounds on social media.

With the feat, Afghanistan have showed how much they have progressed in the white ball formats. At last year’s ODI World Cup, they upset defending champions England and former winners Sri Lanka and Pakistan. They are continuing their giant slaying run at the T20 World Cup having beaten heavyweights New Zealand and Australia.

“The cricket we have played in the whole tournament so far – I think we deserve to be in the semis. The way everyone took the responsibility of getting into the game and performing best for the team,” said Rashid.

“So, I don’t know how I can describe my feeling but it’s a massive achievement for us as a team and as a nation to be in the semis and now looking forward to the semis.” The Afghanistan cricket team is a group of individuals who have honed their skills by plying their trade in T20 leagues around the world. But when they come together to play for their country, it’s hard to find a more passionate bunch.

With PTI inputs

After showing discomfort in his thigh in the 12th over, Gulbadin Naib returned to the pitch and also took the crucial wicket of Tanzim Hasan in the 15th over. Photo: X/@mufaddal_vohra

Gulbadin Naib dramatically falling on his back, clutching his thigh after Afghanistan coach Jonathan Trott signalled his players to slow things down in the T20 World Cup match against Bangladesh caused both amusement and annoyance as former players questioned the genuineness of his discomfort.

Naib, who was fielding in the slip cordon, complained of cramps during the 12th over bowled by spinner Noor Ahmad, after Trott was seen on camera asking his players to slow down as Bangladesh had fallen behind on the Duckworth-Lewis par score in the rain-hit Super 8 clash. The match saw frequent rain interruptions and Bangladesh, at that stage, were 81 for 7, two runs behind on the DLS par score in a revised chase of 114 in 19 overs. Afghans eventually prevailed by eight runs to enter their maiden World Cup semifinal.

“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,” said Simon Doull while commentating.

Zimbabwean commentator Pommie Mbangwa quipped: “Oscar, Emmy?”.

Naib was given treatment and was taken off the field by teammate Naveen-ul-Haq and a support staff as it started raining again and players ran to the dugout.

When play resumed after a shot delay, the target for Bangladesh was revised.

Naib was soon back on the field in the 13th over with Najibullah Zadran substituting him briefly. The all-rounder also rolled his arms over and dismissed Tanzim Hasan in the 15th over to reduce Bangladesh to 92 for 8.

Social media was also abuzz with players and fans reacting to the incident.

“Red card for Gulbadin Naib,” tweeted India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin in ‘X’.

Former England skipper Michael Vaughan wrote: “Spirit of cricket is alive & kicking… Great to see Gulbadin become the first cricketer in the history of the game to get a wicket 25 mins after being shot…”

Former New Zealand cricketer and commentator Ian Smith said: “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.”

The Afghanistan cricket team booked their progression into the semi-finals of the T20 World Cup 2024, beating Bangladesh in their final Super 8 match of the tournament. Though it was a deserving win for Afghanistan, there were many head-scratching incidents from the game that left the world of social media baffled. The biggest incident that made headlines was Afghanistan star Gulbadin Naib‘s shock injury claim that seemed to have come on the instructions of coach Jonathan Trott. Seeing the act getting caught on camera, even ‘cheating accusations’ were made against Naib, Trott and Afghanistan.

Gulbadin Naib seemed to have ‘faked’ his injury as he fell down while fielding in slips while holding his hamstring. The incident even forced the medical team to rush in and carry him out of the ground. Not just the Bangladesh team but Afghanistan captain Rashid Khan seemed frustrated by the act. Here’s the video:

This has got to be the most funniest thing ever Gulbadin Naib just breaks down after coach tells him to slow things down pic.twitter.com/JdHm6MfwUp

— Sports Production (@SportsProd37) June 25, 2024

No words…. @ICC should

take action on this pic.twitter.com/61n3N2SuhG

— Hassan Abbasian (@HassanAbbasian) June 25, 2024

Seeing the incident, the likes of Ravichandran Ashwin, Michael Vaughan, etc. took to social media to crack jokes.

Batting, running, slip fielding, celebrating and now taking wickets. https://t.co/AZZyOKe3Px pic.twitter.com/ZfPhdTj86s

— Ashwin(@ashwinravi99) June 25, 2024

Red card for Gulbadin Naib

— Ashwin (@ashwinravi99) June 25, 2024

Great to see Gulbadin become the first cricketer in the history of the game to get a wicket 25 mins after being shot …

— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) June 25, 2024

This is Unacceptable

This is cheating from Afghanistan

Bangladesh scored 81 Runs before the rain and they were only 2 Runs behind par score and Gulbadin Naib do this to avoid Bangladesh victory on DLS

Once a cheater always a Cheater pic.twitter.com/oEnVPlcFCP

— Imran Siddique (@imransiddique89) June 25, 2024

Afghanistan made the entire cricket world stand up and take notice a they shrugged off the ‘minnows’ tag, and confirmed their status among the elite teams in the sport. 

Afghanistan skipper Rashid Khan admitted after the game that it was a dream coming true moment for him and the team.

“It’s something like a dream for us as a team being in the semifinal. It’s all about the way we have started the tournament. The belief came while we beat NZ. I don’t have any words to describe the feeling. The only guy who put us in the semifinal was Brian Lara and we proved it right. I told him we won’t let you down. We thought 130-135 was a good total on this wicket. We were 15-20 runs short. It was all about mindset. We knew they would come hard at us to chase that in 12 overs. That’s where we could take advantage, We just had to be clear with our plans. We put in the effort, that’s in our hands. Everyone did a wonderful job,” he said. 

The Afghans next take on South Africa in the semi-finals of the T20 World Cup 2024.

Australia Test stalwart Usman Khawaja expressed his sadness at Afghanistan not being able to play in Australia, as he congratulated Afghanistan’s historic 2024 T20 World Cup win over his own country. Earlier in the year, Cricket Australia had cancelled a bilateral series against Afghanistan over the country’s “marked deterioration” in the treatment of women and children, following the rise of the Taliban regime. While the Afghanistan cricketers remain puzzled over the decision, Khawaja stated that the Afghanistan side was an inspiration.

Replying to a tweet by Rashid Khan celebrating Afghanistan’s 21-run win over Australia, Khawaja said:

“Well done Brother. Better team on the day. You boys are an inspiration for so many back home and abroad. So sad we can’t see you all play in Australia.”

In 2023 and 2024, Cricket Australia had cancelled a planned bilateral series against Afghanistan. The decisions came following restrictions imposed by the ruling Taliban, which did not allow women and girls to access higher education and public property like parks and gyms.

Needing a win to stay alive in the 2024 T20 World Cup, Afghanistan posted a total of 148 in 20 overs. However, the Aussie opening pair of Travis Head and David Warner failed to fire.

It looked that much like the 2023 World Cup clash between the two nations, Glenn Maxwell would take the game away from Afghanistan. However, he was dismissed in the 15th over, with Australia lying at 106-6. 

Gulbadin Naib was the unlikely hero with the ball, picking up four wickets: Maxwell, the in-form Marcus Stoinis, Tim David and Pat Cummins.

Afghanistan bundled out Australia for 127, registering their first win over the Aussies in T20 World Cup history.

If Afghanistan beat Bangladesh in their final Super 8 clash, and Australia lose to India, then Afghanistan will take a spot in the 2024 T20 World Cup semis.