In a gripping encounter that saw Afghanistan triumph over Bangladesh, securing their first-ever semi-final berth in the T20 World Cup 2024, controversy clouded the historic win.
The victory not only propelled Afghanistan into the semi-finals but also resulted in the elimination of Australia from the tournament, leaving the cricketing world buzzing with allegations and speculations.
The match at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy, Trinidad and Tobago, was poised delicately when a controversial incident unfolded during Bangladesh’s innings. With the Rashid Khan-led side holding a narrow two-run lead under the DLS system in the 12th over, rain interrupted play.
Seizing the moment, Afghanistan’s head coach, Jonathan Trott, was seen gesturing to all-rounder Gulbadin Naib, who promptly hit the ground clutching his hamstring.
What appeared to be a serious injury turned into a contentious issue as play was paused. Australia’s spinner Adam Zampa sarcastically dubbed it the "old rainstring," and former England captain Michael Vaughan took to social media to mockingly congratulate Naib on his miraculous recovery. "Great to see Gulbadin become the first cricketer in the history of the game to get a wicket 25 mins after being shot," Vaughan quipped on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Naib’s dramatic fall and subsequent return to take a crucial wicket raised many eyebrows. Despite accusations of faking the injury, he humorously dismissed the claims, posting on X, "It happens sometimes when you are happy or when you are sad. Hamstring," accompanied by laughing emojis.
Afghanistan skipper Rashid Khan downplayed the incident, attributing Naib's actions to cramps and expressing hope for his recovery ahead of the semi-final. "Gulbadin had some cramp, I think. Hopefully, he will be alright. But that wicket that he gave us was a massive one at that stage," Rashid remarked.
As rain threatened to disrupt the match entirely, Trott’s tactical move to delay play sparked further criticism. The play resumed after the rain subsided, and Afghanistan capitalized on the opportunity, bowling out Bangladesh for 105 runs to secure a memorable victory.
While Gulbadin’s antics did not decide the match’s outcome, they certainly dominated post-match discussions, with the Australian camp voicing displeasure over what they termed “delaying tactics.” Despite the controversy, Afghanistan's journey to the semi-finals marks a significant achievement for the team.
The T20 World Cup 2024 now approaches its climax, with the semi-finals set for June 27. Afghanistan will face South Africa at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy, while India will take on England at the Providence Stadium in Georgetown, Guyana.
