Naveen-ul-Haq has been banned by the UAE’s ILT20 for 20 months after violating his player agreement with Sharjah Warriors. The breach occurred when he refused to sign the retention notice for the second season of the tournament scheduled for January-February next year.

As a result of the ban, Naveen won’t be able to participate in the ILT20 in 2024 and 2025. Despite the ban, he has signed with Durban’s Super Giants, a team owned by the group that also owns IPL team Lucknow Super Giants, of which he is a part. The South African SA20 league, where Naveen will play, coincides with the ILT20 schedule.

Sharjah Warriors, who initially signed Naveen for the 2023 season, sent him a retention notice earlier this year under the same terms and conditions. The ILT20 intervened in the dispute, attempting mediation through an independent third-party mediator, but it proved unsuccessful.

The league’s disciplinary committee, comprising ILT20 CEO David White, head of security and anti-corruption Col Azam, and Emirates Cricket Board member Zayed Abbas, reviewed the perspectives of both Warriors and Naveen, examined the evidence, and issued the 20-month ban.

David White stressed the need for following contracts and expressed regret for having to impose the ban because Naveen didn’t fulfill his commitments to Sharjah Warriors. Even though it was disappointing, White pointed out that the disciplinary process was fair and open, making sure both parties had an opportunity to explain their side.

In the 2023 season, Naveen was a standout performer for Warriors, finishing as their joint-highest wicket-taker with 11 wickets, alongside Junaid Siddique. However, Warriors struggled in the season, winning only three out of ten games and missing the playoffs.

Amid the intense showdown between Virat Kohli and Naveen ul Haq during the IPL 2023, there was an unexpected twist. In a recent revelation on a podcast, Pakistan cricket team star Imam-ul-Haq shared that his teammate, Agha Ali Salman, took the initiative to ease tensions. Agha Ali Salman reached out to Virat Kohli on Instagram, urging him to take it easy after the viral spat, saying,

“Kohli, bacche easy ho ja. Kya ho gaya hai.”

The unexpected message adds a touch of camaraderie to the heated moment.

Contrary to expectations, the tension between Virat Kohli and Naveen Ul Haq took a heartwarming turn at the Cricket World Cup. The anticipated face-off during the India vs Afghanistan clash became a moment of beauty when Kohli and Naveen Ul Haq embraced each other, a scene that quickly went viral.

In an interview with Lucknow Super Giants, Naveen ul Haq shed light on how Kohli played a crucial role in settling their differences. Recounting the on-field spat, Naveen revealed,

“He said, ‘let’s finish it.’ I said, ‘Yes, let’s finish it.’ So we laughed about it, we hugged, and we moved on. He said, ‘Now after this, you won’t hear my name,’ and that, ‘You’ll only get support from the crowd.’ I said, ‘Yeah’ (smiles).”

Naveen’s account adds a touch of sportsmanship to the narrative, emphasizing the unity within the cricketing fraternity.

Naveen Ul Haq also acknowledged the unexpected support the Afghanistan cricket team received in India. Despite not getting support in one game against India in Delhi, he expressed gratitude for the home-like feeling received in every other match. The camaraderie extended beyond the players, as Indian cricket fans, following Kohli’s lead, cheered for Naveen during a Cricket World Cup match against England in New Delhi.

The unity and unexpected turn of events culminated in one of the most memorable Cricket World Cup shocks. Afghanistan’s remarkable 69-run victory against defending champions England was celebrated with resounding cheers from the crowd. This triumphant moment showcased the power of sports to transcend rivalries and unite fans in the spirit of the game.

Within a few days, Afghanistan’s bowler Naveen ul Haq went from being a divisive character to a hometown hero, winning over the devoted supporters of Virat Kohli at Delhi’s Arun Jaitley Stadium. The tide shifted for Naveen, who faced considerable criticism during India’s World Cup 2023 match against Afghanistan last week, as he buried the hatchet with Indian batting sensation Virat Kohli. The feud, rooted in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 season earlier in the year, has now found closure.

The embrace between Naveen and Kohli followed India’s dominant eight-wicket triumph over Afghanistan at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi just last Wednesday. The atmosphere in Delhi took a warmer turn on Sunday during Afghanistan’s third match in the World Cup 2023, as they faced off against reigning champions England.

Afghanistan etched their names in history on Sunday, clinching their inaugural ODI World Cup victory, stunning Jos Buttler’s England by an impressive 69 runs. Naveen played a pivotal role, securing a crucial 1/44, including the prized wicket of England’s skipper, Jos Buttler, who was cleanly bowled for a mere 9 runs. The spirited support for Naveen from the Delhi crowd reverberated across social media platforms, with a video capturing the fervor going viral.