Naveen-ul-Haq Bowls Nightmare 13-Ball Over As Zimbabwe Clinch Last-Ball Thriller Against Afghanistan | WATCH

Naveen-ul-Haq's 13-ball over cost Afghanistan the first T20I against Zimbabwe, who won by four wickets and went 1-0 up in the series.

Naveen-ul-Haq bowled a 13-ball over in the 15th over of the second innings in the ZIM vs AFG T20I.

Source : PTI

Zimbabwe secured a nail-biting victory on the final ball against Afghanistan in the opening T20I of the bilateral series in Harare on December 11 (Wednesday). Despite an impressive three-wicket haul, Naveen-ul-Haq faced criticism for conceding too many extra runs in his spell, particularly in the 15th over of the second innings. The fast bowler delivered a no-ball followed by four consecutive wide balls during the 15th over of Zimbabwe's innings.

Having scored 144 in the first innings, at the beginning of the 15th over in Zimbabwe’s run-chase, Afghanistan had 57 runs to defend with six overs remaining.  However, Naveen's over overturned the tide in Zimbabwe's favor as he bowled a 13-ball over where he conceded seven extras.

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He began with a wide, followed by Brian Bennett taking a single off a legal delivery. Naveen then bowled a no-ball, which Sikandar Raza punished with a boundary through third man.

Naveen then aimed for wide yorkers but ended up delivering four back-to-back wides. Switching to around the wicket, he bowled the  free-hit ball, which Raza smashed for a boundary down the ground. Naveen managed to dismiss Raza on the third legal delivery of the over, but by then, the damage was already done.

The over concluded with Naveen conceding three singles and another wide, giving away 19 runs in total and reducing the target to 38 runs from 30 balls. He finished with figures of 4-1-33-3.

Can you count how many balls did he bowl in that over? Because we lost count!😵‍💫

Afghanistan's Naveen-Ul-Haq bowled a lengthy 14th over which proved to be decisive!🫣#ZIMvAFGonFanCode pic.twitter.com/MdeAWHJlEg

— FanCode (@FanCode) December 11, 2024

In the final over, Azmatullah Omarzai was given the ball to defend 11 runs as the match reached a dramatic stage. Zimbabwe’s Tashinga Musekiwa, however, rained on Afghanistan’s parade as he struck the winning blow on the last ball, sealing a thrilling victory for the home team.