Picture Credit: Twitter
Naveen-ul-Haq gathered some unwanted spotlight from Lucknow Super Giants clash against Royal Challengers Bangalore in Lucknow on May 1, as he got in an altercation with RCB’s star batter and former skipper Virat Kohli. The argument that started in the 17th over of the game got extended beyond a point leading to a heated argument between Kohli and Gautam Gambhir. Things had gone beyond control and both the teams had to intervene to avoid any physical rift. While the social media is now divided in opinion, several old videos and clips are going viral highlighting Naveen-ul-Haq’s behaviour in other tournaments. Recently, an old tweet of former Pakistan all-rounder Shahid Afridi has resurfaced.
Afridi’s old tweet from December 2020 has been doing rounds on social media, where the Afghanistan pacer got involved in a controversial rift in one of the games between Kandy Tuskers and Galle Gladiators during the Lanka Premier League. Naveen had got in a war of words with Mohammad Amir, after which the 23-year-old player exchanged some fuming words with Shahid Afridi. Later, Afridi advised the young pacer to not be abusive and respect fellow cricketers.
Afridi, on Twitter wrote, “My advice to the young player was simple, play the game and don't indulge in abusive talk. I have friends in the Afghanistan team, and we have very cordial relations. Respect for teammates and opponents are the basic spirit of the game.” However, the Afghanistan pacer was quick to reply and wrote, “Always ready to take advice and give respect, Cricket is a gentleman’s game but if someone says you all are under our feet and will stay their then he is not only talking about me but also talking about my people.”
See the tweet here:
Notably, Naveen has been fined with 50 per cent of his match fee whereas the former RCB skipper has been charged with 100 per cent of his match fee for breaching the IPL Code of Conduct. Speaking of the game, Lucknow Super Giants went down to Royal Challengers Bangalore by 18 runs in their home game. Their next match against the Chennai Super Kings scheduled on May 3 at the Ekana has been called off due to rain.