"I don't think any Australian can be kicking too many stones because we are not squeaky clean" - Clarke on Gulbadin faking cramps in 2024 T20 WC
Former Australia captain Michael Clarke has given his take on Gulbadin Naib's controversial time-wasting tactic of faking cramps in the crucial 2024 T20 World Cup Super 8 encounter between Bangladesh and Afghanistan on Monday, June 24. The clash was also crucial from Australia's perspective as their qualification for the semi-final was in the balance.
Naib had plopped down on the ground clutching his hamstring, right after Afghanistan head coach Jonathan Trott's message to slow down the proceedings. The rain had just about made another appearance and at that point and Bangladesh were just one run behind the DLS par score.
Naib's charade proved to be inconsequential as play resumed and Afghanistan eventually won by eight runs to progress into the knockouts. However, some believed that the all-rounder's antics were against the 'Spirit of Cricket', with Aussie spinner Adam Zampa going as far as to mock Naib by terming the apparent injury as 'rainstring' on social media.
Clarke shares the same view as Australia skipper Mitchell Marsh, who looked at the incident from a whole different way.
"If the sniper got another player of a different team, not mentioning the team, there would be a bit more circus about it. Just let it go and allow Afghanistan to celebrate this win, I think it is that special to them. I don't think any Australian can be kicking too many stones because we are not squeaky clean when it comes to that type of stuff," Clarke said on ESPN's Around the Wicket.
After returning to the field, Naib was not only able to bowl freely but also took a wicket and led the celebrations after Afghanistan beat Bangladesh to reach the semi-finals.
"I'd be surprised if there's not a number of players that didn't play their last T20I game for Australia" - Michael Clarke
Australia's aspirations of holding all major ICC titles at once were squashed after a bleak 2024 T20 World Cup campaign. Successive defeats to India and Afghanistan completely deflated the team as they had to settle for the third spot in the Super 8 stage.
With the majority of the Australian squad being over 30 years of age, and the side lacking specialist players as opposed to other teams in the modern game, a transition is potentially inevitable.
"I think now is the time, to be honest. I used to think, leading up to the World Cup, you play your best team, and age does not matter. But, after the World Cup campaign, the selectors should have an eye on the next World Cup. I don't think Dave will be the only one who played his last game for Australia," Clarke said of a potential transition in the same interview.
"I'm not too concerned about how old the players are, but I think with how much cricket we have, and just about all these guys getting involved in the domestic T20 leagues around the world, and not just the IPL. That's going to take up more time and commitment as well. So, I'd be surprised if there's not a number of players that didn't play their last T20I game for Australia," Clarke added.
Australia have some serious thinking to do after failing to qualify for the semi-finals of the T20 World Cup for the second time in a row.