Indian Premier League and controversies go hand-in-hand. The thrilling game between Royal Challengers Bangalore and Lucknow Super Giants witnessed an ugly spat between Virat Kohli, Gautam Gambhir, and Naveen-ul-Haq.
Kohli and Naveen had a go at each other in the 17th over of the LSG’s inning before they had to be separated while shaking hands at the end of the game after RCB registered an 18-run win.
Kohli also got into a verbal altercation with LSG mentor Gautam Gambhir. As a result, the trio was fined heavily by the BCCI for their on-field antics in Lucknow.
Ever since the controversy last night, Naveen-ul-Haq has been trending on social media.
Who is Naveen-ul-Haq?
Naveen-ul-Haq is a right-arm-pacer is an Afghanistan player. The 22-year-old pacer made his international debut during an ODI match against Bangladesh in 2016 and made his T20I debut in 2018. He quickly established himself as a prime pacer for Afghanistan in both white-ball teams and has taken 48 wickets from 34 international matches so far.
He has become an integral part of the team and has performed consistently n various T20 franchise leagues for the last few years. He has been making a name in world cricket with some impressive outings lately.
He was roped in by Lucknow Super Giants for his base price of INR 50 lakh in the Indian Premier League. He missed the first few games with Mark Wood occupying the overseas spot. On April 19th Naveen made his IPL debut in a game against Rajasthan Royals but went wicketless.
However, he has been in some sensational form now and has picked seven wickets in the last three innings, including 3 against RCB in the latest clash.
Naveen’s struggle in cricket:
Once, in an interview, Naveen told that during his childhood he used to play cricket with a tape ball with his elder brother. However, Naveen’s father didn’t like him playing cricket. He wanted to make Naveen a doctor like himself. But Naveen’s elder brother explained to his father that the boy has potential and he can do well in cricket.
Naveen joined National Cricket Academy, Kabul, where his elder brother also filled out his registration form. Naveen started going to the cricket academy every day after school for practice. After a few days, Naveen was selected for the U-16 team of Afghanistan and ever since then, there has been no turning back for the cricketer.
Naveen’s fight with Shahid Afridi:
Notably, Naveen’s fight with Kohli isn’t the first instance of Naveen getting into an on-field altercation with senior and star cricketers. During the inaugural edition of the Lanka Premier League (LPL) in 2020, the Afghanistan pacer was involved in an intense war of words with Amir. Later on, Shahid Afridi, who was the captain of Galle Gladiator in the game was seen scolding and advising Naveen to not get involved in abusive talk.
Afridi also took to his social media and slammed Naveen for his behavior. Check out the conversation between the two.
My advise to the young player was simple, play the game and don't indulge in abusive talk. I have friends in Afghanistan team and we have very cordial relations. Respect for teammates and opponents is the basic spirit of the game. https://t.co/LlVzsfHDEQ
— Shahid Afridi (@SAfridiOfficial) December 1, 2020
Always ready to take advice and give respect,Cricket is a gentleman’s game but if someone says you all are under our feet and will stay their then he is not only talking about me but also talking abt my ppl. #give #respect #take #respect
— Naveen ul haq Murid (@imnaveenulhaq) December 1, 2020
