AUS vs AFG | Twitter reacts as Gulbadin shrugs off brutal headshot with smile and earn boundary
Not every athlete has the ability to wear swag, even during times of adversity. Afghanistan all-rounder Gulbadin Naib happened to be one-of-a-kind as he replied to a thud off a bumper with a wry smile in the tenth assignment of the 2025 Champions Trophy between Australia and Afghanistan.
Despite losing a wicket early, Sediqullah Atal and Ibrahim Zadran’s partnership of 68 runs laid the foundation for the former’s excellent 85-run knock. As the momentum looked to shift towards the Asian side during the second powerplay, the Aussies dragged the ball in their court with a couple of wickets heading to the third powerplay. To make further inroads, Johnson was asked to bowl in the 39th over, where he surprised Gulbadin with a sharp bumper.
On the first ball of the 39th over, Johnson came over the wicket and bowled a short ball to Gulbadin, who tried to duck underneath and go for a swivel pull. However, he was beaten on the outside edge as the white rock kissed his helmet and sprung over the keeper towards the boundary boards. Subsequently, the Afghanistan all-rounder was seen smiling as the ball unexpectedly went towards the ropes in haste, earning the side four runs. The fact that he didn’t even require a concussion assessment and continued batting, sparked Twitterverse discourse.
HaHa!
— ashik (@ashik1587212) February 28, 2025
True!
Afghanistan in big trouble.
— Cricket Mode (@cricket_feel) February 28, 2025
Omarzai & Gulbadin need to make a good comeback with a good partnership if they want to defeat mighty Aussies.
Currently, it is 65% Australia & 35% Afghanistan.
Too High!
34 extras… 😱😱 Australia? 😒 #ChampionsTrophy #iccchampionstrophy2025 #AFGvsAUS #AUSvsAFG #PakistanCricket #CT25
— zoia zahid (@zoia_zahid) February 28, 2025
Good Knock!
Take a bow, Afghanistan's young guns!🙇👏
— 𝐈 Sʜᴏᴡ Cʀɪᴄᴋᴇᴛ 🏏 (@ImGajananJoshi) February 28, 2025
Sediq Atal (23): 85 vs AUS
Ibrahim Zadran (23): 177 vs ENG
Azmatullah Omarzai (24): Consistent runs & valuable bowling!
Bright future ahead for Afghanistan Cricket.🔥🤩#ChampionsTrophy #AUSvsAFG #AUSvAFG pic.twitter.com/hDbQepg6je
Congrats!
1000 runs in ODIs for the ICC ODI Player of the Year 2024 in just his 30th Innings
— Sangam Mohanty (@mohantysangam_) February 28, 2025
Rockstar AZMAT #AUSvsAFG #ChampionsTrophy
Congrats Omarzai
1000 Runs For Azmatullah Omarzai in ODI cricket 👍 #iccchampionstrophy2025 #AUSvsAFG #ChampionsTrophy
— Cricket _talks (@Cric_nzz) February 28, 2025
Poor Fielding!
Australia haven't been at their best today with fielding #ChampionsTrophy#AUSvAFG#AUSvsAFG
— Strike1andout (@Strike1AndOut) February 28, 2025
Yeah!
If Afghanistan somehow manages to score 270. This game is on#AFGvsAUS #AUSvsAFG
— N (@switchhitsix) February 28, 2025
HaHA!
gulbadin you've always been useless
— r.· ͙ (@xdelusionalsoul) February 28, 2025
Gone!
Bye bye Gulbadin
— Haji Ayman Sherwani 🍉 (@AemunSh3rwanee_) February 28, 2025