Afghanistan’s Fast Bowler Naveen-ul-Haq Announces Retirement from ODIs After Upcoming World Cup in India
Afghanistan’s Naveen-ul-Haq, a fast bowler, will retire from ODIs after the World Cup in India. He’s been a key T20I player and had a successful career in various T20 leagues.
In a surprising announcement that has sent ripples through the cricketing world, Afghanistan’s talented fast bowler, Naveen-ul-Haq, has revealed his decision to retire from One Day Internationals (ODIs) following the conclusion of the upcoming World Cup in India. Naveen-ul-Haq, who made his international debut in 2016, has represented Afghanistan in seven ODIs, amassing an impressive tally of 14 wickets at an average of 25.42.
While Naveen continues to be a vital player for his country in the fast-paced realm of T20Is, with 27 matches to his name, he has been notably absent from the ODI format since 2021. This extended hiatus prompted his decision to step back from the 50-over format in 2022, allowing him to prepare “mentally and physically” for last year’s T20 World Cup, where he played a pivotal role.
In addition to his contributions in international cricket, Naveen-ul-Haq has established himself as a regular presence in T20 leagues around the world, gracing stages such as the IPL, LPL, BBL, and PSL with his bowling prowess.
The news of Naveen’s retirement comes shortly after he was named in Afghanistan’s 15-member squad for the upcoming World Cup, marking his return to the ODI fold after a hiatus of over two years. He is expected to form a crucial part of Afghanistan’s pace attack, complementing the likes of Fazalhaq Farooqi, Abdul Rahman, and the versatile all-rounder Azmatullah Omarzai.
In a heartfelt message shared on social media, the 24-year-old speedster expressed the difficulty of the decision, saying, “It hasn’t been an easy decision to make but to prolong my playing career, I had to take this tough decision. I would like to thank the Afghanistan Cricket Board and all my fans for their support and unwavering love.”
Naveen-ul-Haq’s retirement from ODIs will undoubtedly be a significant loss for Afghanistan’s 50-over squad, but it marks a new chapter in his cricketing journey. As he prepares to don the blue jersey one last time in the ODI format during the World Cup, fans and cricket enthusiasts around the world will eagerly await his final performances on this stage. Afghanistan’s World Cup campaign is set to kick off against Bangladesh on October 7 in Dharamsala, and it will be an emotional farewell for Naveen-ul-Haq in the ODI arena.
Keep visiting The Ganga Times for such beautiful articles. Follow us on Google News, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Koo for regular updates.
