Gross Islet. In the ICC T20 World Cup, Afghanistan blocked Australia’s path to the semi-finals. By defeating Bangladesh in the last match of the Super 8, the Afghan team confirmed its place in the final four. During this match, there was a controversy regarding Gulbadin Naib. Australia captain Mitchell Marsh has given a statement about Afghanistan’s all-rounder Gulbadin.
Marsh saw the funny side of Gulbadin’s dramatic complaint of cramps during a T20 World Cup match against Bangladesh, calling it “one of the funniest things” he had ever seen on a cricket field. Gulbadin, fielding at slip, fell on his back, clutching his thighs, in the 12th over, just as coach Jonathan Trott signalled play to slow down as rain was expected and Afghanistan were leading in the do-or-die Super Eights tie.
Marsh told ‘cricket.com.au’, “I started laughing so hard that tears came to my eyes and ultimately it had no effect on the game. So now we can laugh at it – but it was fun. It was great.”
Bangladesh was chasing 115 runs for victory at that time and at the end of the 12th over, it was 81 runs for seven wickets and was trailing by 83 runs as per the Duckworth-Lewis rule. However, Gulbadin later bowled two overs and participated enthusiastically in Afghanistan’s victory celebrations without any ‘convulsions’. According to ICC rules, a player can be banned for two matches for ‘intentional or repeated’ time-wasting tactics, but Gulbadin can be let off only after the match referee gives him the first and final warning.
With this win, Afghanistan knocked Australia out of the T20 World Cup and Marsh said that the 2021 champions should only blame themselves for being out. Marsh said, “We looked at it (the match) as a group. It was obviously a very great match, right? Lots of ups and downs. Obviously you want to keep playing this tournament. But one thing is that it was completely out of our control and we ourselves are responsible for this.
Tags: Gulbadin Naib, ICC T20 world cup, Mitchell Marsh, T20 World Cup
FIRST PUBLISHED : June 26, 2024, 15:18 IST