AFG vs BAN: Afghan coach tells team to slow down for DLS, Gulbadin Naib immediately gets a cramp

Afghanistan turned their dream into a reality as they overcame the Bangladesh Tigers in a rain-soaked match. It was nothing less than historic as the Afghan Atalans prevailed over powerhouses like Australia. However, Gulbadin Naib's actions rose after he suffered what looked like cramps. However, a lot of debate has erupted as it looks like Naib has taken a page out of Brazilian footballer Neymar's playbook and faked his injury to give the Afghans an edge.

Also Read: AFG vs BAN: Afghanistan qualify for T20 World Cup semis for first time, Australia knocked out

Gulbadin Naib's apparent injury sparks a Spirit of Cricket debate as Afghanistan seal a win over Bangladesh

Gulbadin Naib, who was fielding in the slip during the AFG vs. BAN Super 8 match, reported having cramps in the twelfth over, which was bowled by spinner Noor Ahmad. The incident occurred after Bangladesh's coach Jonathan Trott was seen on camera urging his team to slow down in the rain-soaked Super 8 match as Bangladesh had fallen behind on the Duckworth-Lewis par score. At that point, Bangladesh was 81 for 7, two runs behind the DLS par score in a revised chase of 114 in 19 overs. His uneasiness was questioned by former teammates, which was amusing as well as annoying.

"The coach sends a message out to say slow it down, slow it down and the first slip just dives on the ground needlessly. That is unacceptable. Gone off anyway. I get that might have gone off anyway for the rain," said Simon Doull while on commentary duties.

Former NZ cricketer and commentator Ian Smith wants to meet Naib's doctor who miraculously healed his injury right after the game ended.

"I've a dodgy knee for the last 6 months, I am gonna see Gulbadin Naib's doctor straight after the game. He's the 8th wonder of the world right now," Smith said.

A lot of debate took place on social media as well. veteran Indian spinner R Ashwin hilariously mocked the situation, tweeting "Red card for Gulbadin Naib."

Former English cricketer and pundit, Michael Vaughan, put the Spirit of Cricket up for debate with his tweet. "Spirit of cricket is alive & kicking... Great to see Gulbadin become the first cricketer in the history of the game to get a wicket 25 mins after being shot..."

Also Read: 'This is what progress is.': Cricket world erupts as Afghanistan qualify for T20 WC 2024 semifinal

After defeating Bangladesh, Afghanistan will face South Africa in the first semifinal match of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024. One of the teams will advance to the final, where they will compete against the winner of the second semifinal. India and England will face off in that game, with one of them advancing further into the summit clash.