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Gulbadin Naib’s apparent bout of cramp during Afghanistan’s must-win Super Eight game against Bangladesh in St Vincent came under scrutiny from television commentators because it happened at a crucial stage of game.
Needing a win to qualify for the semi-finals of the T20 World Cup at Australia’s expense, Afghanistan had just taken Bangladesh’s sixth and seventh wicket in the 11th over with the score on 80. In the next over, after Bangladesh had fallen just behind the DLS par score, it appeared that Afghanistan coach Jonathan Trott was signalling to his players with rain in the air.
Between the third and fourth deliveries of the 12th over from Noor Ahmad, Naib went down clutching the back of his leg while fielding at first slip. He was not moving at the time he went down. He appeared to need treatment and as he was helped off the field by his team-mate Naveen-ul-Haq and a member of the support staff, it began to drizzle and the pitch was covered.
The interruption did not last long, though, and when play resumed minutes later one over had been reduced from Bangladesh’s chase and the DLS target revised to 114. At that point, Najibullah Zadran was on the field as a substitute for Naib, who eventually came back on the field in the 13th over. Naib then bowled the 15th over in Bangladesh’s chase and took the wicket of Tanzim Hasan.
Time-wasting by either the batting or bowling side is a publishable offence.
