Kabul: Afghanistan's prominent fast bowler, Naveen-ul-Haq, has taken the cricketing world by surprise with his announcement to retire from One-Day Internationals (ODIs) following the upcoming ODI World Cup, slated to commence on October 5 in India. 

The 24-year-old, who currently represents the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in the Indian Premier League (IPL), intends to continue wearing Afghanistan's national jersey for T20 Internationals (T20Is).

Naveen boasts a commendable record in ODIs, having participated in seven matches and securing 14 wickets at an average of 25.42. His last appearance in a 50-over game for Afghanistan dates back to January 2021 when they faced Ireland in Abu Dhabi. Naveen made his ODI debut against Bangladesh in September 2016.

In an Instagram post, Naveen expressed his deep appreciation for representing his country and revealed his challenging decision to retire from the ODI format after the World Cup. He emphasized his commitment to continue playing T20 cricket for Afghanistan. The pacer thanked the Afghanistan Cricket Board and his fans for their unwavering support.

Naveen-ul-Haq has been a subject of controversy, notably after a heated exchange with Virat Kohli during the IPL last year, which garnered significant attention in India.

In addition to his impressive ODI statistics, Naveen has a remarkable record in T20Is, claiming 34 wickets in 27 matches at an average of 20.70.

Afghanistan will commence their World Cup campaign against Bangladesh on October 6 at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamsala.

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Hyderabad (PTI): The Telangana Commission for Backward Classes on Monday sought reports from state government officials on the death of an infant following alleged assault and caste abuse against her family members in Nagarkurnool district while visiting a temple fair.

In separate letters, Commission Chairman G Niranjan urged Endowments Department Commissioner S Harish and Nagarkurnool district Collector Badavath Santhosh to furnish the reports within three days.

Niranjan drew the officials' attention to media reports on the death of the two-month-old baby at Kummera village in the district and alleged caste discrimination and denial of entry to the temple fair to the baby's family belonging to a BC community.

BJP OBC Morcha's state unit president G Anand Goud alleged inadequate response by the police in the incident and demanded a transparent investigation into the incident.

Alleging that the deceased baby's father was attacked in the incident, he also demanded action against the attackers.

Goud told reporters that BJP's state unit president N Ramachander Rao would visit the village on February 24 and meet the baby's family members.

Meanwhile, a BRS delegation met DGP B Shivadhar Reddy and demanded a comprehensive inquiry into the incident.

The BRS leaders sought action against a person who allegedly attacked the infant's parents.

BC associations have held protests over the past few days regarding the alleged caste discrimination against the deceased infant's family members.

Police said on Sunday that four persons were arrested in connection with the cases registered after the family alleged that the baby died following an "assault" by a group of villagers. The family also alleged that they were abused in the name of caste in the incident on February 18.

However, a villager, part of the group, lodged a counter-complaint with the police the same day, alleging that he was attacked with stones during a scuffle with the family, sustaining a head injury, following which a case was registered.

The infant died on February 21 and her mother, who belongs to an SC community, also lodged a complaint alleging her daughter died due to the physical assault on the family by some villagers, police said.