Fans upset over no Kohli-Naveen contest in Asia Cup 2023 as Afghanistan pacer dropped from 17-member squad

Naveen-ul-Haq (Source: Twitter)

Afghanistan announced a 17-member squad for the upcoming Asia Cup, which kicks off with Pakistan taking on Nepal on August 30 in Multan. The Hashmatullah Shahidi-led team made four changes to the squad that featured in the recently concluded ODI series against Pakistan. Fareed Ahmad, Azmatullah Omarzai, Shahidullah Kamal and Wafadar Momand failed to make it to the continental event.

However, the notable name missing was pacer Naveen-ul-Haq, who was also not included in the three-match series against Pakistan. After being left out of the squad for the continental tournament, the right-arm seamer shared a cryptic post on Instagram to express his disappointment. “No matter how well your eyes adjust to darkness, you’ll never mistake it for light," Naveen wrote.

Check out the Instagram post below:

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Naveen ul haq Murid (@naveen_ul_haq)

Meanwhile, Naveen's absence from the Asia Cup has also left fans upset as the much-awaited match between Virat Kohli and Naveen ul-Haq did not take place. The two last met during an Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 match between Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) and it resulted in one of the most controversial incidents in the history of the tournament.

The former RCB captain reportedly initiated the scenes with sledging the Afghan cricketer while batting and the pair had a heated exchange of words after the match. The incident spiced up the tournament, but the two never met again in the tournament as RCB failed to enter the playoffs. Fans were hoping that they would lock horns in the Asia Cup, but now that won't happen as Naveen couldn't find a place in the squad.

Check out some of the fan reactions:

❗ Fareed Ahmad has been dropped from Afghanistan's 🇦🇫 AC squad as he'd abused Babar Azam & Imam during the series, Karim Janat has been appointed as his replacement

No Naveen Ul Haq in the squad either who also ill-treated Virat Kohli during an IPL clash lately🤯#AsiaCup2023 pic.twitter.com/X11GRFIqrX

— Shaharyar Ejaz 🏏 (@SharyOfficial) August 27, 2023

Hold that naveen ul haq. 🤣🤣🤣🤣
It's called karma pic.twitter.com/2FkTRtUZGJ

— Akshay (@viratkohliofc) August 24, 2023

Naveen ul Haq vs Virat Kohli ❎#CricketTwitter #RCB #LSG #India #AsiaCup2023 #ViratKohli𓃵 pic.twitter.com/nCSfGbpR79

— CRICKETNMORE (@cricketnmore) August 27, 2023

We will sadly miss the spectacle of Virat Kohli giving Naveen Ul Haq's bowling a one-way ticket to the stands! 😉😉

Naveen ul haq misses out from Afghanistan’s Squad for Asia cup 2023. pic.twitter.com/bAh9PznTk3

— Vipin Tiwari (@vipintiwari952) August 27, 2023

Naveen up Haq is lucky that he won’t be playing in the Asia Cup. Otherwise he would’ve been smashed all the over park by Virat Kohli if India-Afghanistan face each other. #AsiaCup2023 pic.twitter.com/6pcUfgWADC

— Saif Ahmed 🇧🇩 (@saifahmed75) August 27, 2023

No Kohli vs Naveen clash before next IPL 😥 pic.twitter.com/RJVjvckzPN

— Shivani (@meme_ki_diwani) August 27, 2023

India are clubbed with Nepal and Pakistan while Afghanistan are paired with defending champions Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. Afghanistan will begin their campaign against Bangladesh on September 3.

Afghanistan Asia Cup 2023 squad: Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran, Riaz Hassan, Rahmat Shah, Najibullah Zadran, Mohammad Nabi, Ikram Alikhil, Rashid Khan, Gulbadin Naib, Karim Janat, Abdul Rahman, Sharafuddin Ashraf, Mujeeb ur Rahman, Noor Ahmad, Suliman Safi, Fazalhaq Farooqi