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6 Wides, 1 No Ball! Naveen-Ul-Haq’s 13-Ball Over Costs Afghanistan's Last-Ball Thriller

Jatin

Naveen-ul-Haq bowled a 13-ball over [Source: @urfavKandaharai/x.com]Naveen-ul-Haq bowled a 13-ball over [Source: @urfavKandaharai/x.com]

Afghanistan’s speedster Naveen-ul-Haq had a day to remember, but not for all the right reasons, during the first T20I against Zimbabwe in Harare. While he showcased his wicket-taking abilities, a chaotic 13-ball over proved to be the turning point as Zimbabwe chased down 145 on the final ball, taking a 1-0 lead in the series.

Naveen-ul-Haq’s 13-Ball Over Cost Afghanistan the 1st T20I

Naveen-ul-Haq’s 15th over was the stuff of nightmares for a bowler. Defending a modest total, he started with a wide and followed it up with a single. Things went downhill from there. A no-ball that raced to the boundary was followed by a free hit. Trying to keep it away from the batter’s arc, Naveen bowled four consecutive wides outside the off stump.

When he finally delivered a legitimate free-hit ball, Sikandar Raza didn’t hold back, smashing it for four. Naveen, however, bounced back to dismiss Raza on the very next ball. 

The rest of the over saw two singles, another wide, and a single off the last ball, making it a 13-ball over that left Afghanistan with plenty to think about.



A Decent Spell but a Tough Loss

Naveen did manage to pick up three wickets, dismissing Tadiwanashe Marumani, Sikandar Raza, and Wesley Madhevere. His final figures of 3/33 in four overs weren’t really bad but the damage from his extras-filled over left Afghanistan with little breathing room.

Zimbabwe kept their cool to chase down the target on the very last ball. A single sealed the deal for the hosts, leaving Afghanistan to rue their missed chances and Naveen’s costly over. In a tight game like this, every run counts, and Naveen’s over full of extras made a big difference.