Naveen-ul-Haq stood at the heart of this historic moment as the roar that erupted from the stands at the culmination of the Afghanistan vs Bangladesh clash in the 2024 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup wasn’t just a celebration of victory. It was the outpouring of a nation’s joy, the result of years of dedication, and a testament to the unwavering spirit of Afghan cricket. The fiery Afghan pacer ripped through the Bangladeshi batting line-up with a spell of breathtaking brilliance, etching his name forever in the annals of World Cup folklore.
A Match on a Knife’s Edge: Setting the Stage for Heroics
The encounter itself was a tense affair, a pulsating battle that swung back and forth like a pendulum. Afghanistan, riding high on the back of a confident tournament run, posted a competitive 148/6 on a challenging pitch at the Kingstown Cricket Ground in St. Vincent. Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran had laid a solid foundation with a 118-run opening partnership, but wickets fell steadily in the latter half of the innings, putting the pressure on the bowlers to defend the total.
Bangladesh, in pursuit of their maiden World Cup semi-final appearance, began their chase cautiously. The experienced Liton Das and the dependable Shakib Al Hasan aimed to anchor the innings. However, the introduction of Naveen in the powerplay over proved to be a turning point.
Early Strikes: Naveen Unleashes his Fury
With blistering pace and deceptive swing, Naveen sent shivers down the spines of the Bangladeshi batsmen. His first delivery to Liton Das was a brutal yorker that narrowly missed the stumps. The tension was tangible as the crowd held its breath. The very next ball, though, found its mark. A sharp in-swinger snuck past Das’ defenses, clattering into his wickets. The early dismissal of the prolific opener sent a jolt through the Bangladeshi camp.
Shakib Al Hasan, known for his composure, tried to steady the ship. However, Naveen wasn’t done yet. He cranked up the pace even further, testing Shakib with a bouncer that forced the all-rounder to play a risky hook shot. The ball ballooned up in the air, and Mohammad Nabi, stationed at deep square leg, gleefully accepted the offering.
These early strikes by Naveen not only dented Bangladesh’s momentum but also exposed their middle order’s vulnerability against genuine pace. The required run rate started to climb, and the pressure began to mount.
Adapting to the Situation: Naveen’s All-Round Brilliance
As the game progressed, the pitch started to offer some assistance to the spinners. Recognizing this shift, Naveen displayed maturity beyond his years, adapting his bowling strategy accordingly. He cleverly mixed his deliveries, using slower balls and cutters to deceive the batsmen. This tactical shift ensured that he remained a threat throughout his spell, never allowing the Bangladeshi batsmen to settle into a rhythm.
The Death Overs: Where Legends are Made
With Bangladesh needing just under 40 runs off the final five overs, the match hung in the balance. The experienced Mohammad Saifuddin and the belligerent Mahmudullah Riyad were at the crease, harboring hopes of a Bangladeshi victory. It was in this high-pressure situation that Naveen truly announced himself on the world stage.
His first delivery of the 18th over was a peach of a yorker, squeezing past Saifuddin’s defenses and crashing into the stumps. The crowd erupted, sensing the momentum shift. The very next ball, a slower delivery, deceived Mahmudullah, who chipped it straight to Rashid Khan at point. Two wickets in two balls – Naveen had single-handedly tilted the balance of the match in Afghanistan’s favor.
A Tense Finale and a Historic Victory
The equation became even more daunting for Bangladesh, requiring 18 runs off 12 deliveries. Afif Hossain, known for his late-innings heroics, tried his best to keep his team in the hunt. However, the Afghan spinners tightened their grip, conceding only singles and keeping the required run rate in check.
With just nine runs needed off eight deliveries, the tension reached a fever pitch. Naveen, entrusted with the responsibility of bowling the final over, held his nerve. He began with a pinpoint yorker that Afif managed to dig out for a single. The next delivery, a slower ball, deceived Mushfiqur Rahim, who could only manage a thick inside edge onto his pads. The crowd held its breath as the ball trickled towards the wicketkeeper.
