In a heartfelt announcement that reverberated through the cricketing world, Afghanistan's fiery fast bowler, Naveen-ul-Haq, has declared his retirement from One Day Internationals (ODIs) following his swan song at the impending World Cup showdown in India. The speed merchant, who has been a stalwart for the Afghan side, took to social media to break the news, revealing his unwavering commitment to continue donning the national jersey in the high-octane realm of Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is).

Naveen-ul-Haq, who burst onto the international scene in 2016, leaves behind a commendable legacy in the 50-over format. Over the course of seven ODIs, he etched his name into the annals of Afghan cricket history, amassing a total of 14 crucial wickets at an impressive average of 25.42.

While his prowess in T20Is remains undeniable, featuring prominently in 27 exhilarating encounters, the speedster's absence from the ODI arena since 2021 led him to take a hiatus from the 50-over format in 2022. This strategic retreat allowed him to recalibrate both mentally and physically, priming himself for the electrifying battles that the T20 World Cup presented last year.

At the tender age of 24, Naveen-ul-Haq acknowledged that the decision to bid adieu to ODIs was far from simple, but one he made with an eye on the future and a determination to prolong his illustrious playing career. In a heartfelt message conveyed via social media, he remarked, "It has been an absolute honour to represent my country, and I would like to announce my retirement from the ODI format at the end of this World Cup, and will continue to wear this blue jersey in T20 cricket for my country."

Reflecting on his decision, he added, "It hasn't been an easy decision to make but to prolong my playing career, I had to take this tough decision. I would like to thank the Afghanistan Cricket Board and all my fans for their support and unwavering love."

Naveen-ul-Haq's impact on Afghan cricket has been profound, and as he prepares for his final ODI chapter on the grand stage of the World Cup, fans around the world will undoubtedly be eager to witness his fiery deliveries one last time in this format before he embarks on a new era in T20Is.