Adam Gilchrist and Ian Smith mock Gulbadin Naib in jealousy after Afghanistan knockout Australia and New Zealand from T20 World Cup 2024

The Afghanistan National Cricket Team made history by advancing to the semifinals of the ongoing ICC T20 World Cup 2024. The Rashid Khan-led team secured their place in the final four of the ICC tournament, while the Australia National Cricket Team was eliminated without reaching the semifinals.

The Afghanistan team recorded an 8-run win over the Bangladesh team in their last Super 8 match at the Arnos Vale Ground in St Vincent on Monday, June 24 (local time). Naveen ul Haq and Rashid Khan played a crucial role with the ball while defending a slightly below-par total of 115 runs in the recent match.

Veteran Afghanistan all-rounder Gulbadin Naib grabbed attention by faking a hamstring injury after Afghanistan head coach Jonathan Trott signaled his team to "slow it down" as the drizzle resumed. Gulbadin fell to the ground and called for the Afghan team's physio to extend the game delay as much as possible.

The Bangladesh team was at 81/7 during the 12th over of their chase against Afghanistan. They were just two runs behind the DLS score when Jonathan Trott signaled his team to slow down due to the rain resuming. Naib's faked hamstring injury drew criticism from former cricketers, experts, and fans alike.

Gonna See Gulbadin Naib's Doctor Straight After The Game - Ian Smith

During a broadcast, former New Zealand cricketer Ian Smith sarcastically said that he wants to consult with Gulbadin Naib's doctor for his knee. Ian Smith called Naib the "8th wonder of the world." Former Australia wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist shared the Face with Tears of Joy emoji.

"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," Ian Smith said.

😂 https://t.co/4jihahF0e5

— Adam Gilchrist (@gilly381) June 25, 2024

"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 commentating.

Zimbabwean commentator Pommie Mbangwa quipped: "Oscar, Emmy?".

"I have seen some desperately bad acting in my time as a Ramsay Brothers horror film fan, but nothing I saw matches Gulbadin Nain's sudden cramp once the Afghanistan coach Jonathan Trott asked them to slow down proceedings!" Cricket expert Joy Bhattacharya also took to X and wrote.

I have seen some desperately bad acting in my time as a Ramsay Brothers horror film fan, but nothing I saw matches Gulbadin Nain's sudden cramp once the Afghanistan coach Jonathan Trott asked them to slow down proceedings!

— Joy Bhattacharjya (@joybhattacharj) June 25, 2024

Afghanistan chose to bat first but managed only 115/5 in 20 overs on a slow pitch. Rahmanullah Gurbaz was their highest scorer with 43 runs off 55 balls, and Rashid Khan played a quick cameo of unbeaten 19* off 10 balls. Bangladesh's leg-spinner Rishad Hossain took three wickets for just 26 runs in his four overs.

Naveen-ul-Haq took 4 wickets for 26 runs, and Rashid Khan claimed 4 wickets for 23 runs. Opener Litton Das scored an unbeaten 54 but lacked support from other batsmen. Towhid Hridoy and Soumya Sarkar only crossed the double-digit mark. Afghanistan secured their first-ever semi-final berth in the World Cup.