"The guy is playing for his country" - Ravichandran Ashwin on Gulbadin Naib's injury controversy in AFG vs BAN 2024 T20 World Cup Super 8 game
Ravichandran Ashwin recently gave his take on Gulbadin Naib faking his injury as a tactic to waste time during Afghanistan's 2024 T20 World Cup Super 8 match against Bangladesh. When Bangladesh were two runs behind the DLS par score, Afghan coach Jonathan Trott signaled his players to slow down the game as it started to drizzle.
Ashwin pointed out that many fans and experts have suggested that Naib should be reprimanded for his actions. However, the Indian spinner emphasized that the all-rounder was just trying to help his team qualify for the semi-finals.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Ashwin said:
"Gulbadin Naib fell that way. Everyone said that is a penalizable offense. But what the hell, man? The guy is playing for his country. Trying to win a World Cup, qualify."
Ashwin also spoke about the Afghan players giving it all for each other in the ongoing T20 World Cup. Here's what he said about the Rashid Khan-led side's passion and unity:
"In Afghanistan, it is not just momentum. It is a country with so much hope. They are playing for one another. This playing for one another, we can say a thousand things about it. We can say it to so many people. Doesn't India play for one another? For the badge? Of course. But Afghanistan, at this stage of their cricketing journey, are playing for one another like I have never seen anything like this."
Afghanistan trumped Bangladesh by eight runs (DLS method) in their final Super 8 match. They finished the Super 8 stage with four points from as many outings and advanced to the 2024 T20 World Cup semifinals.
"Going to be the most important player" - Robin Uthappa on Rahmanullah Gurbaz ahead of Afghanistan's 2024 T20 World Cup semifinals
In the same video, Robin Uthappa opined that Afghanistan opener Rahmunullah Gurbaz will play a pivotal role for his team in their 2024 T20 World Cup semifinals against South Africa.
He suggested that the swashbuckling batter's performance would have a significant impact on the result. Uthappa remarked:
"If you look at Afghanistan from that angle, for me, Gurbaz is going to be the most important player. The way he performs tomorrow will have a big impact on whether Afghanistan will win or lose."
It is worth mentioning that with 281 runs from seven outings, Gurbaz is currently the leading run-getter of the 2024 T20 World Cup. His runs have come at a strike rate of 126.00 and he averages 40.14.
Uthappa reckoned that while Afghanistan have the momentum on their side, their over-dependence on batters like Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran and Azmatullah Omarzai could be an issue, adding:
"I have a feeling that Afghanistan has a bit of momentum. But the one thing that can let Afghanistan down is their batting. They are heavily dependent on the likes of Gurbaz, Omarzai and Zadran."
The cricketer-turned-commentator also highlighted that South Africa have a formidable bowling unit, but their batting hasn't quite lived up to expectations, elaborating:
"And South Africa have a gun fast-bowling line-up. And Keshav Maharaj and Tabresh Shamsi are bowling like a dream at the moment. But their batting has not really come to the party, so to speak, completely. We have seen it in patches. We have seen Quinton de Kock back in form, which has been fantastic. Aiden Markram struggling to form. And we have seen Reeza Hendricks struggling to form. David Miller has been in good form. Last two games have been a little off for him. So, for me, I feel it's going to be the bowling attack. This game is going to be Afghanistan bowling vs South Africa bowling."
Afghanistan and South Africa will face each other in the first semifinals of the 2024 T20 World Cup. The game will be played in Trinidad on Thursday, June 27 (IST).