Naveen-ul-Haq announces ODI retirement at 24! Find out why the cricket star made this surprising decision.
Cricket World Cup 2023 has seen an unexpected revelation with Naveen-ul-Haq, the Afghanistan cricketer, declaring that this World Cup will mark his retirement from ODI cricket, a surprise given his current age of 24. He made this sudden announcement via an Instagram post, emphasizing the honor he felt representing his country and expressing his gratitude towards the Afghanistan Cricket Board and his unwavering fans.
Naveen’s decision to retire so young has left many astounded, but he insists that it was a necessary choice to extend his playing career. Despite this, he plans to continue playing t20 cricket for his country, proudly donning the blue jersey.
This revelation is concurrent with his call-up for the World Cup hosted in India, starting October 5. Notably, Naveen wasn’t part of the Afghanistan team for the Asia Cup but holds a significant place in franchise leagues globally due to his outstanding abilities.
His announcement has intensified the excitement surrounding the ICC World Cup 2023, especially the much-anticipated clash between him and Virat Kohli, famously seen as "bigger than India vs Pakistan". The origin of their rivalry traces back to a confrontational IPL 2023 match, though it was momentarily overlooked as Naveen was not included in the Asia Cup squad. The spotlight is back on him with Afghanistan's unveiling of their 15-member World Cup squad, renewing the eagerness to witness this powerful duel.
While his decision leaves a sense of bewilderment, fans are teeming with anticipation to see how Naveen's final ODI appearance unfolds and what thrilling moments this renowned competition brings as the cricketing giants brace themselves for the confrontations ahead.
The notable members of Afghanistan's ODI World Cup 2023 Squad include Hashmatullah Shahidi as the Captain and others like Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran, Riaz Hassan, Rahmat Shah, Mohammad Nabi, and Rashid Khan. Naveen-ul-Haq’s participation undoubtedly adds an extra layer of intrigue to the impending matches, promising a blend of exceptional skill and electrifying confrontations.