Naveen-ul-Haq Announces Shock ODI Retirement, To Bid Adieu To 50-over Cricket After World Cup

On Wednesday, September 27, the 24-year-old Afghanistan National Cricket Team right-arm pacer Naveen-ul-Haq announced a shock retirement from the One Day International (ODI) cricket. He is set to bid adieu to the 50-over cricket format at the conclusion of the World Cup 2023.

The ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023, which is the 13th edition of the 50-over Cricket World Cup, is scheduled to be held from October 5 to November 19 in India. A total of 10 teams will take part in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023.

Naveen-ul-Haq, who last played an ODI game for Afghanistan on January 26, 2021, against the Ireland National Cricket Team in Abu Dhabi, received a call-up for the World Cup in India. Notably, he had taken a break from ODIs in January last year and since then he wasn’t selected for ODIs by selectors, however, that changed during the World Cup squad selection.

The retirement announcement of Naveen-ul-haq comes as a massive surprise for cricket fans across the globe as he is just 24. He has represented Afghanistan in 7 ODIs and has bagged 14 wickets at an average of 25.42, an economy of 5.78, and a strike rate of 26.3.

It has been an absolute honour to represent my country – Naveen-ul-haq

Naveen-ul-Haq took to his official Instagram handle to announce his shock ODI retirement and state that he is honored to represent Afghanistan. Revealing the reason behind his ODI retirement, Naveen-ul-haq said that he wants to prolong his career. The pacer also revealed that he will continue to represent his country in T20I cricket, where he has so far played 27 games and bagged 34 wickets.

“It has been an absolute honour to represent my country would like to announce my retirement from ODI format at end of this World Cup and will continue to wear this blue jersey in t20 cricket for my country it hasn’t been an easy decision to make but to prolong my playing career had to take this tough decision would like to thank @afghanistancricketboard And all my fans for their support and unwavering love,” he posted on his official Instagram handle.

 

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Naveen-ul-haq recently hogged the headlines during the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023, where he plays for the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG). He was involved in a fight with the legendary India and RCB cricketer, Virat Kohli, and since then he hasn’t been treated well by the Indian fans.

Meanwhile, he will begin his journey with Afghanistan in the World Cup on October 7 against Bangladesh in Dharamsala. Before that, Afghanistan will also play two warm-up fixtures against South Africa in Thiruvananthapuram on September 29 and then against Sri Lanka in Guwahati on October 3.

Afghanistan Squad For World Cup: Hashmatullah Shahidi, Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Rahmat Shah, Riaz Hassan, Najibullah Zadran, Mohammad Nabi, Ikram Alikhil,Azmatullah Omarzai, Rashid Khan, Abdul Rahman, Noor Ahmad, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Naveen-Ul-Haq

Reserves: Gulbadin Naib, Sharafuddin Ashraf, Fareed Ahmad