Big Highlight/ 'It is what it is': Naveen-ul-Haq takes subtle dig at the ICC over issues related to ODI cricket

IND vs AFG: The ICC ODI World Cup 2023 witnessed the greatness of the Indian Cricket Team on Wednesday, October 11, 2023, at New Delhi’s Arun Jaitley Stadium. Team India beat Afghanistan by 8 wickets (90 balls left). AFG won the toss, decided to bat first, and managed to make 272 runs at a loss of 8 wickets in 50 overs. On the other hand, Rohit Sharma and his team were able to chase the score in just 35 overs.

3 things you need to know 

• AFG won the toss and decided to bat 
• Afghanistan made 272 runs for 8 wickets in 50 overs 
• India chased a score of 273 in 35 overs with a loss of 2 wickets

Also Read: Gautam Gambhir's reaction to Kohli-Naveen hug

Naveen-ul-Haq resolved his past issues with Virat Kohli 

Indian cricket legend Virat Kohli and Afghanistan's bowler Naveen Ul Haq decided to forget their prior bitter match in the IPL earlier this year in a touching moment during their World Cup play. A handshake and an embrace of reconciliation replaced the intense discussion that had occurred earlier. Their argument began during an Indian Premier League game when Naveen-Ul-Haq's Lucknow Super Giants were in a tight chase against Virat Kohli's Royal Challengers Bangalore. This fight between the two cricket players on the field turned into a major scandal when they carried it into the traditional handshake after the game. Even KL Rahul had to step in, and LSG coach Gautam Gambhir seemed extremely angry.

When Naveen received the ball during the World Cup match, the audience erupted in cheers, "Kohli Kohli." The two players had a lighthearted moment during India's chase of 273 to show that their argument had remained inside the boundaries of the cricket pitch and had not extended beyond them. Talking to the PTI, he said: 

Crowd will chant for their home cricketers and that is what they did. It is his (Kohli's) home ground. He is a nice guy, a good player and we shook hands.

It (what happened) was always in the ground, it was nothing outside the ground. People make it big. They need that stuff for their followers. He said (today) 'we are done with that and I said yes we are done with that. We shook hands and hugged,

Also Read: ICC ODI WC 2023: India vs Afghanistan Highlights

Naveen-ul-Haq does not seem to enjoy the ODI format in cricket 

The cricket player, 24, has declared his intention to retire from the One Day International (ODI) format following the World Cup. He has only played in nine ODIs. When talking about his choice to give up playing ODI cricket, Naveen said, 

To be honest more international bowlers will opt out of ODI cricket because there is not much balance between bat and ball. I wish I would have played more ODI cricket but it is what it is.

Despite playing only 9 matches for Afghanistan so far, he has taken 15 wickets. Talking about his T20I record, he has played 27 matches for Afghanistan and taken 34 wickets in the 20 over-format.