Naib was trying to win a World Cup match for his team: R Ashwin backs Afghan all-rounder
Chennai, Jun 26: Veteran off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin felt the on-field histrionics of Afghanistan’s Gulbadin Naib against Bangladesh were justified because it happened in a must-win Super Eight match for his side in the ongoing T20 World Cup.
Naib, who was fielding in the slip cordon, fell on his back while clutching his thighs during the 12th over, just after coach Jonathan Trott signalled to slow down the proceedings as rain was imminent with Afghanistan ahead in the game.
“Jonathan Trott was telling from the dressing room to slow it down and after that Naib fell on the ground like a broken tree branch. Everyone is saying he will be penalised for it. But what’s the problem? The guy is playing for his country, trying to win a World Cup qualifier (must-win match),” Ashwin said in his YouTube channel.
The ICC’s playing conditions stipulate that a player can get up to a two-match ban for "deliberate or repetitive" time-wasting tactics, but Naib might just escape with a first and final warning by the match referee in this instance.
Earlier, Ashwin had remarked in jest on his X account: “Red card for Gulbadin Naib.”
Naib replied to the India off-spinner through his social media handle. “Kabi khushi kabi gham main huta hai (It happens sometimes when you are happy or when you are sad. Hamstring.”
Touching back on a cricketing topic, Ashwin made a tactical observation and said the Afghans should look to survive the early phase of their semifinal against South Africa on Thursday before asserting themselves.
“The Tarouba pitch is two-paced. I have played there. One ball will suddenly take-off, so SA have bowlers to trouble Afghan batters. But SA have to reserve Anrich Nortje for middle overs to give some depth. Rabada should also be used in that phase.
“If not, the Afghans will see through the pacers and then will dominate the spinners which they did very well in the earlier matches. But South Africa is South Africa, I will give them a grand 51-49 odds,” he added.
Kabi khushi kabi gham main huta hai 🤣🤣
— Gulbadin Naib (@GbNaib) June 25, 2024
Hamstring 🤣 https://t.co/48jV4ESpuS
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India, New Zealand ink free trade agreement
New Delhi (PTI): India and New Zealand on Monday inked a free trade agreement, aimed at boosting two-way commerce and investments.
The pact was signed by Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal and visiting New Zealand's Trade and Investment Minister Todd McClay.
The FTA provides duty-free access for 100 per cent of India's exports to New Zealand, covering all tariff lines or produce categories, and is expected to significantly boost MSMEs and employment by enhancing competitiveness in labour-intensive sectors such as textiles, apparel, leather, footwear, gems and jewellery, engineering goods, and processed foods.
Earlier, New Zealand maintained peak tariffs of up to 10 per cent on key Indian exports, including ceramics, carpets, automobiles, and auto components.
With zero-duty market access from entry into force as New Zealand's other trade partners, Indian products will be fully competitive in that country, enjoying a level playing field.
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Significantly, India also secured duty-free inputs for its manufacturing sector, including wooden logs, coking coal, and waste and scraps of metals, lowering production costs and enhancing the global competitiveness of the Indian industry.
On the other hand, India has offered tariff liberalisation on 70.03 per cent of tariff lines covering 95 per cent of bilateral trade value, while keeping 29.97 per cent of tariff lines excluded to protect India's sensitive sectors.
The products that are kept in exclusion are mainly -- dairy (milk, cream, whey, yoghurt, cheese etc.), animal products (other than sheep meat), agricultural products (onions, chana, peas, corn, almonds), sugar, artificial honey, animal, vegetable or microbial fats and oils, arms and ammunition, gems and jewellery, copper and articles thereof (cathodes, cartridges, rods, bars, coils), aluminium and articles thereof (ingots, billets, wire bars) among others.
On 30 per cent of tariff lines of New Zealand, India will provide duty elimination on goods such as wood, wool, sheep meat, and leather-raw hides.
Similarly, 35.60 per cent of tariff lines are subject to phased elimination over 3, 5, 7, and 10 years, including petroleum oil, malt extract, vegetable oils, selected electrical and mechanical machinery, and peptones.
New Zealand products which enjoy tariff reductions include wine, pharmaceutical drugs, polymers, aluminum, iron and steel articles, and goods that only 0.06 per cent fall under tariff rate quotas, including Manuka honey, apples, kiwi fruit, and albumins, including milk albumin.
The FTA also includes a commitment to facilitate USD 20 billion in investment into India.
A rebalancing clause is incorporated into the Agreement to provide a framework for addressing any shortfall in investment delivery, thereby ensuring robust and tangible economic outcomes.
Total bilateral trade in goods and services reached USD 2.4 billion in 2024.
