'Would’ve been smashed by Virat Kohli' - Fans react to Naveen-ul-Haq's cryptic post after not being included in Asia Cup squad

With the Asia Cup 2023 right around the corner, the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) announced their 17-man squad for the upcoming marquee tournament. It is worth noting that the Asia Cup will begin on August 30 and will be co-hosted by Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

However, as Afghanistan announced their squad for the tournament, the fans were met with utter shock as star pacer Naveen-ul-Haq was nowhere to be found. Notably, the pacer is currently in rehab and was not considered for selection therefore. After his injury-enforced absence from the squad, Naveen took to social media to publish a cryptic post. The pacer posted a selfie across his social media profiles and captioned it, "No matter how well your eyes adjust to darkness, you'll never mistake it for light."

View this post on Instagram

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

Seeing the same, many fans took to Twitter to express their disappointment over missing out the chance to see a clash between Naveen and Virat Kohli. Notably, the two players were involved in a heated argument back in the IPL (Indian Premier League) 2023 when Royal Challengers Bangalore took on Lucknow Super Giants. The moment escalated further after former Indian cricketer and LSG mentor Gautam Gambhir got involved. 

The bout garnered major traction across social media, and fans were looking forward to both players facing one another once more in the Asia Cup. However, they were met with disappointment after Naveenwas not named in Afghanistan’s squad for the tournament.

It is worth noting that Afghanistan will begin their Asia Cup campaign against Bangladesh on September 3, while India kick it off against Pakistan on September 2.

Here’s how fans reacted to Naveen-ul-Haq’s Asia Cup snub:

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

First bowler in the history of cricket to save and build his career by not getting selected in the team 💀#NaveenUlHaq #ViratKohli𓃵 #AsiaCup pic.twitter.com/coubeCLtQF

— Aditya Mohan (@AdityaMohan17_) August 28, 2023

No Naveen Ul Haq in the squad either. No Virat Kohli vs Naveen Ul Haq then 😔 #AsiaCup2023 #ViratKohli𓃵

— आयु🥷 (@imnot_umer) August 28, 2023

No naveen-Ul-Haq in #AsiaCup2023 its King's kingdom #ViratKohli

— fearless speaker (@fearlessspeake2) August 28, 2023

Breaking: Fareed Ahmad dropped from Afghanistan's Asia Cup squad, he had abused Babar Azam and Imam Ul Haq. Karim Janat has replaced him, Karim was hit by Asif Ali for four sixes.

No Naveen Ul Haq in the squad either. No Virat Kohli vs Naveen Ul Haq then 😔 #AsiaCup2023

— Ali Muhammad (@iamalii786) August 27, 2023

I'm in shock where is Naveen ul haq

— Nαҽҽɱ Kԋαن (@maryani696) August 27, 2023

"The wait continue 😵"

Naveen-ul-haq not selected in Afghanistan squad for Asia Cup. Fans will have to wait more to see Virat Kohli vs Naveen -ul-haq🥲 pic.twitter.com/UNFAHjNsX6

— Vijay (@Vijayvk_18) August 27, 2023

Where is Naveen UL Haq 🤔🤔🤔

— Ahsan Aslam (@AhsanAs0916) August 27, 2023

Afghanistan doesn't want to damage good relationships with India, they have not selected Naveen Ul Haq in the team for the Asia Cup.

— Sunil the Cricketer (@1sInto2s) August 27, 2023

No Naveen-Ul-Haq v Virat Kohli in Asia Cup 2023🤠#AsiaCup2023 #ViratKohli #Afghanistan #AFGvPAK #India #CricketWorldCup #CricketWorldCup2023 #NaveenUlHaq

— Shafin (@knightriders_75) August 27, 2023