SA vs AFG | Twitter reacts to Naveen ranting at skip Rashid after DRS reluctance lets golden chance slip

06/27/2024

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Cricket is inherently a game of fine margins and the lines are even more blurred at the elite level, especially when a World Cup final is at stake. Afghanistan rued their inability to seize the moment at Tarouba after Rashid Khan's DRS refusal denied Naveen-ul-Haq a potentially game-changing scalp.

Afghanistan were left battling nearly impossible odds in their first World Cup semi-final on Thursday after the side collapsed to a paltry 56 all-out in the first innings. Nevertheless, a new-ball pace duo at the top of its mark and a hellacious surface ensured the team kept its spirits up and Naveen ul-Haq backed up the belief with an early scalp of Quinton de Kock. The right-arm quick was proving to be unplayable for the Proteas with the ball jagging and spitting up off the deck every which way but Aiden Markram opted to play with fire by attempting some expansive shots. However, when the strategy inevitably backfired, the Proteas skipper was allowed to escape scot-free much to the frustration of Naveen.

On the fourth ball of the third over, Naveen angled a ball into Markram from over the stumps that moved away sharply after hitting the deck along with a hint of late swing. The batter fearlessly lashed his hands at the ball hoping to lace it through the covers but was beaten all hands up as the Kookaburra ended up in Rajmanullah Gurbaz's glove. The Afghans went up in half-hearted appeal and were quickly shot down but skipper Rashid Khan came charging in from mid-off claiming he heard a nick. However, none of his teammates supported the claim and the DRS timer eventually ran down.

Much to the shock of the Asian contingent, the big screen soon showed that the ball had indeed caught a feather edge of the willow. Naveen was quick to berate his captain for not being bold even as Rashid stared into the horizon while nodding his head with disbelief, accurately mirroring Twitterati's sentiments.

What a blunder!

pic.twitter.com/jofBQeOONg
— Johnson (@Johnson427427) June 27, 2024

It could've been very different

It was an edge an Afghanistan doesn’t take the review !! Rashid was interested in taking the DRS but rest of the team said No!! South Africa could have been 6-2 !! 👀👀#SAvAFG #T20WoldCup pic.twitter.com/6qWADbs5RX
— Bade Hoke Cricketer Banunga 💭💭 (@FirstLovCricket) June 27, 2024

Yup

drs le lena tha rashid..
— ipsiii (@masakalii_) June 27, 2024

Big miss

A missed DRS from Rashid. SA would have been 6/2.#SAvsAFG
— Kanishk Agarwal (@kanishkdabaav27) June 27, 2024

Just wow

Wow there was an edge from the bat of Markram and Afghanistan failed to take the drs though rashid the only one looked interested in taking the drs #safvsafg
— Cricket on my mind (@bhuvifan2003) June 27, 2024

What have you done

What a miss , Gurbaz what have you done 😭

Rashid should have gone with his gut feeling#SAvsAFG #SAvAFG pic.twitter.com/Ec27rpdaPt
— Mintu Dutta (@duttamintu26) June 27, 2024

Gone

Markram is out, it's a inside edge but gurbaz not hear the sound and afg not taking the review. 😮 #SAvAFG
— DEEP (@iamdeep18dk) June 27, 2024

What a shame

Rahmatullah Gurbaz behra he kya ?

Keeper hoke tujhe edge sunai nahi di

I feel so bad for Rashid Khan & other bowlers who are surrounded by these clowns.#T20WorldCup #AFGvSA #SAvAFG pic.twitter.com/aZkgSV93Ga
— Prateek (@prateek_295) June 27, 2024

No idea

Gurbaz having a horrendous day. A half volley duck and now misses this edge. Rashid wanted to take it no idea why he didn't. What is there to lose are they going to take back home the reviews?🙄 https://t.co/wchnOdsxkU
— Harshit Anand (@imHarshitAnand) June 27, 2024

LOL