Gulbadin Naib’s controversial 2024 World Cup moment discussed: Team Afghanistan were subject to a very funny controversy in the 2024 T20 World Cup after their match against Bangladesh in the Super 8. Afghanistan were in dire need of a victory against the Bangla Tigers in order to qualify for the semi-finals at Australia’s expense and there was rain in the air. Thus, there was a possibility that the match would be decided by the DLS par score.
When the incident took place, Afghanistan had just picked up the sixth and seventh wicket of Bangladesh in the 11th over and Bangladesh had fallen behind on the DLS Par score. It was at that moment that Jonathan Trott, Afghanistan’s coach, signaled his players to try and slow the game so that they can win the match easily.
Right after that, Gulbadin Naib, who was standing at first slip, fell down on the field, saying that he had cramps. He wasted a lot of time there and was then accompanied off the field. It then began to drizzle and the pitch was covered. Captain Rashid Khan didn’t seem to be pleased with the incident. However, the pause didn’t last long and the match was resumed. An over was taken away and Bangladesh’s total was revised to 114. Afghanistan ended up winning the match.
In a recent interview during the 2025 Champions Trophy, Afghan player Rahmanullah Gurbaz was asked about the incident and it led to some really funny remarks by him and Gulbadin Naib himself, who was also present in the studio.
“I’m not sure whether that was real or not. That was cramp actually right? Gulbadin is there outside and he is saying that it was cramps. I’m not sure honestly. We are all not sure. People make fun of it but maybe he got cramps, maybe he got injured because that’s his body and we don’t know. Maybe some small acting?” Rahmanullah Gurbaz said.
“Sometimes, your team needs you not everytime with the ball or the bat on the field. It was a very high intensity game and I had a little bit problem. People make it a big issue, but it’s good for me. After the game, many movie stars messaged me. Everyone said that oh man, you are on the top!” Gulbadin Naib said and was interfered by Gurbaz who cut him off – “You can work in Hollywood movies”
“The funny thing was, after the cramps came, Gulbadin was running faster than everyone. That was really shocking. I also want to go to the same doctor” Gurbaz sarcastically concluded.
