The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has stated that fast bowler Naveen-ul-Haq’s presence on the official broadcasting panel for the one-off Test against Bangladesh does not reflect a change in his playing status. Naveen has been named to the commentary panel for the Test, which will be held at the Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi from October 9 to 13, however he is not part of Afghanistan’s squad. The board’s announcement answers doubts regarding the player’s future after a lengthy hiatus from international cricket.
ACB CEO Naseeb Khan stated why Naveen-ul-Haq was involved in the commentary and where he stands in the team’s objectives right now. Khan stressed that the player’s recuperation from injury remains his top concern, and that his broadcasting role serves a dual purpose during his recovery.
Naveen hasn’t played for ACB since December 14, 2024, when he appeared in a Twenty20 International against Zimbabwe. He was part of Afghanistan’s team for the just finished T20 International series against India, but was not chosen for the playing XI. Naveen has played 63 white-ball matches in his international career but has yet to make his Test debut.
The ACB encourages talent development in multiple cricket sectors.
The ACB sees Naveen’s commentary job as part of a larger goal to nurture talent across all aspects of the sport. Khan underlined the board’s intention to developing capacity in broadcasting and other cricket-related disciplines outside playing responsibilities.
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The commentary team for the Test against Bangladesh consists of Ramiz Raja, Andrew Leonard, Farveez Maharoof, Ahmad Farhad Fidai, Mazhar Uddin, and Naveen-ul-Haq. The inclusion of the Afghanistan fast bowler with renowned commentators demonstrates the board’s belief in his ability to contribute to television coverage while undergoing recovery.
Rohan Mehta covers cricket through detailed analysis, features, player stories, and match insights. His work explores performances, tactics, emerging players, and the bigger stories shaping the game, with a focus on making complex cricket developments engaging and accessible to fans
