Gulbadin Naib Faces Ban For 'Faking Injury' In Afghanistan's T20 World Cup Thriller? ICC Rule Says This

The Afghanistan vs Bangladesh T20 World Cup game saw a controversial moment, when Afghanistan' Gulbadin Naib fell on the ground], apparently due to injury. Naib, who was fielding in the slip cordon, complained of cramps during the 12th over bowled by spinner Noor Ahmad, after Trott was seen on camera asking his players to slow down as Bangladesh had fallen behind on the Duckworth-Lewis par score in the rain-hit Super 8 clash.

The match saw frequent rain interruptions and Bangladesh, at that stage, were 81 for 7, two runs behind on the DLS par score in a revised chase of 114 in 19 overs. Afghans eventually prevailed by eight runs to enter their maiden World Cup semifinal.

"The coach sends a message out to say slow it down, slow it down and the first slip just dives on the ground needlessly. That is unacceptable. Gone off anyway. I get that might have gone off anyway for the rain," said Simon Doull while commentating.

Zimbabwean commentator Pommie Mbangwa quipped: "Oscar, Emmy?".

Naib was given treatment and was taken off the field by teammate Naveen-ul-Haq and a support staff as it started raining again and players ran to the dugout.

"Kabi khushi kabi gham main huta hai (It happens sometimes when you are happy or when you are sad). Hamstring," Naib later said in a post on X, dotted with laughing emojis.

So, can Naib be banned if he was faking injury?

According to ICC's Code of Conduct, 'time-wasting' is deemed a level 1 or 2 offense under Article 2.10.7. For Level 1 offense, maximum punishment is 100% match-fee fine and two suspension points. If a player is gioven four suspension points in one year, may be banned for either one Test match or two ODIs or T20Is.

Additionally, according to Article 41.9 of the ICC's playing