Who is Naveen-ul-Haq? - All you need to know about LSG's controversial Afghan pacer

Lucknow Super Giants' Afghan pacer Naveen-ul-Haq has become the talk of the town, albeit for the wrong reasons, after he was involved in an on-field skirmish with former Indian skipper Virat Kohli during his side's clash against Royal Challengers Bangalore. The 23-year-old pacer has become an overnight sensation, but who really is Naveen-ul-Haq?

Son of a doctor from war-torn Kabul, Naveen-ul-Haq made his international debut for Afghanistan during their tour of Bangladesh in 2016. The then 17-year-old pacer was not able to impress on his debut as he was taken for 62 runs in his ten overs in his first appearance in ODI cricket. He has played just six ODIs for his country since his debut, with his last appearance coming in 2021.

However, the right-arm pacer grew in confidence in the coming years and was handed a T20I debut in 2019. Although he ended up on the losing side in his first match in the shortest format of the game, Naveen impressed with his control and guile, especially with the old ball. A run of impressive performances with the ball has made him a regular feature of the T20I side under Rashid Khan's captaincy.

The Afghan pacer has impressed with the ball in IPL 2023

His latest national assignment saw him participate in a triumphant T20I series against Pakistan, which witnessed the Afghan side topple their neighbours on the back of impressive performances by their bowlers. Although he is still learning his trade on the big level, the Afghan pacer has already racked up 136 appearances in the shortest format, representing teams in several renowned franchise leagues.

Naveen caught the eye of IPL newcomers Lucknow Super Giants in the IPL 2023 auction and was snapped up by the franchise for INR 50 lakh during the mini-auction last year. He has represented the Lucknow-based franchise on four occasions this term, impressing with seven scalps in those outings.