Gulbadin Naib is a professional cricketer from Afghanistan known for contributing to the national team in various game formats. He is an all-rounder, Naib bats right-handed and bowls right-arm fast-medium.
Full Name: Gulbadin Naib
Date of Birth: March 16, 1991
Birthplace: Puli Alam, Logar Province, Afghanistan
Nationality: Afghan
Profession: Professional Cricketer Height: 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Early Life
Gulbadin Naib was born on March 16, 1991, in Puli Alam, Logar Province, Afghanistan. Growing up in a country affected by conflict, Naib’s path to cricket was challenging. However, his passion for the game and determination to succeed helped him overcome these obstacles.
Domestic Career
Naib began his cricketing career in domestic cricket in Afghanistan. His performances in domestic tournaments caught the attention of national selectors, leading to his inclusion in the Afghanistan national team.
International Career
ODI and T20I Debut
Naib made his One Day International (ODI) debut for Afghanistan on August 9, 2011, against Canada. He made his Twenty20 International (T20I) debut a few years later, on March 18, 2012, against the Netherlands.
Rise in International Cricket
Naib’s all-round abilities, including his aggressive batting and medium-pace bowling, made him a valuable asset for the Afghanistan team. He has played in numerous ODI and T20I matches, contributing significantly with both bat and ball. His notable performances include several match-winning innings and crucial wickets in tight situations.
2015 and 2019 Cricket World Cups
Naib was part of the Afghanistan squad for the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup held in Australia and New Zealand. He played a crucial role in Afghanistan’s first-ever World Cup victory against Scotland.
In April 2019, Naib was named the captain of the Afghanistan team for the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup held in England and Wales. Despite the team’s struggles in the tournament, Naib’s leadership and individual performances were commendable.
Playing Style
Naib is known for his aggressive batting style, often playing as a middle-order batsman. His ability to accelerate the scoring rate in the final overs has been an asset for his team. As a bowler, he relies on his medium pace and variations to pick up crucial wickets, particularly in the middle overs of an innings.
International Career Stats
One Day Internationals (ODIs)
- Matches: 78
- Runs Scored: 1,074
- Batting Average: 21.47
- Highest Score: 82
- Wickets Taken: 63
- Bowling Average: 34.22
- Best Bowling: 4/43
Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is)
- Matches: 53
- Runs Scored: 564
- Batting Average: 15.66
- Highest Score: 56*
- Wickets Taken: 20
- Bowling Average: 33.20
- Best Bowling: 3/4
Achievements and Records
- Played a key role in Afghanistan’s first-ever World Cup victory in 2015.
- Captained Afghanistan in the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup.
- A consistent performer in both ODI and T20I formats.
- Gulbadin Naib’s 4-20 against Australia was his all-time great T20 World Cup 2024 performance.
Given his experience and contributions to Afghan cricket, Naib is expected to play a crucial role in mentoring young cricketers and helping Afghanistan achieve greater heights in international cricket.
Controversy in T20 World Cup 2024
Afghanistan made history by defeating Bangladesh to secure a spot in the T20 World Cup 2024 semi-finals on Tuesday. This thrilling victory, under the leadership of Rashid Khan, marked the first time Afghanistan has reached the semi-finals of an International Cricket Council (ICC) competition. However, the win was marred by controversy as Gulbadin Naib was accused of ‘faking an injury.’ During the 12th over of the Bangladesh innings, Naib fell to the ground clutching his hamstring shortly after head coach Jonathan Trott was seen signaling to the players to slow down the game. At that moment, Afghanistan was 2 runs ahead according to the DLS method, with the outcome of the match still very much in the balance.
Social Media Profile
Gulbadin Naib’s career is a testament to the growing stature of Afghan cricket on the global stage. His all-round abilities and leadership qualities have made him one of the key figures in Afghanistan’s cricketing journey.
Must Read
