5 Embarrassing moments in PSL history

With T20 cricket on the upward curve, the Pakistan Super League (PSL) started in 2016 with five teams taking part. Like most other T20 leagues around the world, this was a city-based franchise league. There was a sixth team that entered the fray from the 2018 season as well.

Hence, the PSL has seen four successful seasons and the fifth one is currently going on. Four seasons have seen three different winners but only two teams have ended up as runners-up (Quetta Gladiators and Peshawar Zalmi). Islamabad United (twice – 2016 and 2018), Quetta Gladiators (2019) and Peshawar Zalmi (2017) have been champions.

In the last five years, there have been multiple instances where the PSL or the players or even the broadcasters were embarrassed. Thus, here are five such embarrassing moments.

1. Danny Morrison run with Uber

There’s absolutely no doubt that Danny Morrison is one of the most entertaining commentators going around and loves to play around. He is a common face at quite a few T20 leagues around the world. A lot of people feel the way he commentates and the way he presents himself is pretty funny.

During the 2018 edition of the PSL, Morrison decided for an Uber Run Moment where he challenged a computerized Uber to a race. The former New Zealand quick was ready and took off on his sprint and was running in a funny manner. He was seen running straight into the dressing room.

During a game between Karachi Kings and Islamabad United, Michael Slater was on air with Morrison and they were talking about the latter’s Uber run moment. The former Aussie player also made fun of Morrison as he ran straight into the change room.

2. Karachi Kings CEO talking on the phone in the team dugout

PSL and controversies are not strangers and the T20 league has often been in tough situations. There was fresh controversy and embarrassment just two days into the 2020 season of the PSL. A representative from the Karachi Kings was seen talking on the phone in the team dugout during the game between Karachi Kings and Peshawar Zalmi.

ICC’s laws state that mobile phones are banned in the dressing rooms and the dugouts during the game. Hence, Twitter didn’t take this lightly and lashed out at the league for allowing such a thing to take place. Even former Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar tweeted, “This is so wrong using mobile phone in dug out….”

The incident took place in the 13th over of the game. However, Dean Jones clarified that it was the CEO who was using the phone and he or the manager is the only one allowed to do so.

Like in ALL T20 cricket. The manager/CEO is the only one allowed to have a phone. In this case Tariq.. our CEO is doing work. Here he is organising us Practice times for today. Thanks for your concern. https://t.co/UORGtmMlro

— Dean Jones AM (@ProfDeano) February 22, 2020

3. Kieron Pollard’s trousers come off while diving for a catch

Kieron Pollard is one of the most agile fielders going around and he has one of the safest hands as well. There’s hardly that goes through or past him. However, there was one such moment in the 2017 edition of the PSL.

Karachi Kings were facing Quetta Gladiators in the 15th match of the season. Karachi made 154 batting first and Quetta got off to a good start as they raced away to 39/0 in five overs. Mohammed Amir who bowled a maiden in his first over was back for his second. On the third ball of that over, Amir bowled a slower bouncer and Asad Shafiq bottom-edged it. The ball ballooned up and Pollard dived full length from covers but failed to hang on.

The Pakistan left-arm pacer was livid at the missed opportunity but Pollard’s trousers were off as he dived. Shafiq who was batting on 21 at that time scored a fifty and drove his team home.

4. Danny Morrison dancing with the cheerleaders

It is no secret that Danny Morrison is an entertaining character. While he has great knowledge of the game and does quite a bit of commentary around the T20 leagues, he is also known for the antics and the fun that he brings about. There have been multiple instances of him embarrassing himself as well.

During the 2017 edition of the PSL, the former Kiwi fast bowler was seen dancing with the cheerleaders on a few occasions. There were fans around the ground holding placards saying, “Danny New Cheerleader”. In fact, Morrison even had pom-poms as props. He even did a salsa dance with one of the cheerleaders.

It was quite an embarrassing moment for the cricketer turned commentator.

5. Wahab Riaz, Ahmed Shehzad’s ugly on-field fight

There have been quite a few instances when players have lost their cool on the field and things have broken loose. There have been aggressive arguments on the field as well. One such incident broke out in the 2016 edition of the PSL and it was between two premier Pakistan cricketers.

Quetta Gladiators faced Peshawar Zalmi in the 17th match of the season. The former got off to a flying start as they scored 40 in 4.1 overs. Wahab Riaz was bowling the fifth over and was smoked for a six by Ahmed Shehzad. However, the very next delivery the left-arm pacer foxed the opener with a slower one which crashed onto his stumps. Riaz celebrated wildly and let out a roar that didn’t go down well with Shehzad.

The Quetta Gladiators opener wasn’t pleased with the celebrations and pointed his bat towards Riaz. The two of them exchanged a war of words and even pushed each other. But they were soon separated by the players and umpires on the field. Both players were penalised heavily for their behaviour. While Shehzad had 30% of his match fees docked, Riaz lost 40% of his match fees.