‘Old rainstring’: Gulbadin Naib’s ‘delay tactics’ in Afghanistan win stir up Spirit of Cricket debate

Afghanistan’s historical eight-run win over Bangladesh in the T20 World Cup on Monday sealed their maiden semifinal berth in the tournament even as criticisms were raised about all-rounder Gulbadin Naib’s ‘delay tactics’ during a Super 8 contest marred by rain.

With only a win required to dump Australia and Bangladesh out of the semifinal race, Afghanistan tottered to 115 in 20 overs against a spirited Bangladesh bowling attack at the Arnos Vale Stadium in St Vincent. In a see-sawing chase that followed, Afghanistan clawed back after Bangladesh’s positive start with rain breaking the game twice.

At one juncture in a stifling chase, Bangladesh were ahead of the DLS par score, only to fall two runs behind in the 12th over as rain made another appearance to snip the 115-run target to 114 with a reduction of one over. Shortly before the break, Afghanistan head coach Jonathan Trott was seen gesturing at his players to slow down the game to maintain their lead over the DLS par score.

Cannot stop howling at this!

Naib, first man to get hamstring injury by air.

What's the worst bit? His acknowledgment of receiving the message from Trott!

Absolute laugh riot! 😂😂😂#AFGvBAN pic.twitter.com/rUAxh3pQMz

— Nikhil 🏏 (@CricCrazyNIKS) June 25, 2024

All-rounder Naib, standing at first slip, reacted with an instantaneous fall to the field, clutching his hamstring before the umpires decided to call for the covers to come on. Witnessing Naib’s questionable gesture on air, former New Zealand pacer Simon Doull reacted on commentary by saying,“Oh no no no, sorry. You can’t have this. I’m not accepting that. Even Rashid Khan doesn’t like it.”

The “rainstring” according to Adam Zampa 😂#T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/OymS7uUoPV

— Lachlan McKirdy (@LMcKirdy7) June 25, 2024

“It’s just delay tactics. I get it but I don’t like that at all. It is unacceptable. They might have gone off anyway for the rain but that’s not a good look. I know the Euros are going on in football, you’d be better off there,” Doull added while lambasting Naib.

Reacting to Naib’s antics on social media, Australia bowler Adam Zampa posted a screenshot of the visual on his Instagram handle and remarked it to be “the old rainstring.”

Former England captain Michael Vaughan responded to the social media furore over Naib’s act, commenting “Spirit of cricket is alive and kicking” on X. Meanwhile, India all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin light-heatedly quipped a “red card for Gulbadin Naib” on social media.

Kabi khushi kabi gham main huta hai 🤣🤣
Hamstring 🤣 https://t.co/48jV4ESpuS

— Gulbadin Naib (@GbNaib) June 25, 2024

While Naib was initially off the field once the chase resumed, the 33-year-old returned to the field and bowled two crucial overs, conceding only five runs for a wicket.

When asked about Naib’s reactions after the game, skipper Rashid added that his teammate had suffered mild cramps.

“Gulbadin had some cramps I think, hopefully he’ll be alright. That wicket he took was massive for us,” Rashid added.

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