PSL 2021: Sarfaraz Ahmed, Shaheen Afridi issued warning by match referee after on-field argument

A massive controversy rocked the sixth edition of the Pakistan Super League (IPL) on Tuesday when Sarfaraz Ahmed and Shaheen Afridi got involved in a heated argument on the field. The 23rd match of the PSL 2021 saw Quetta Gladiators squaring off against Lahore Qalandars at the Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi on June 15, Tuesday. 

Lahore Qalandars skipper Sohail Akhtar won the toss and invited Sarfaraz Ahmed & Men to post the total on the board. On the last ball of the penultimate over of Gladiators’ innings, a major drama unfolded on the cricket field. Pacer Shaheen Afridi bowled a lethal bouncer to Sarfaraz which hit him on his helmet.

Sarfaraz didn’t seem much pleased with the delivery but as the ball went to the third man he managed to take a single. After going to the bowler’s end, the Quetta skipper walked to Shaheen and said something to him. This was followed by the young pacer reacting with equal intensity. 

As the situation between the two players became intense, the umpires had to intervene. After the game, both sides gave different explanations regarding the scenarios. The sources close to Quetta Gladiators revealed that Sarfaraz wanted Shaheen to ask about his well-being after he was hit on the helmet. 

Sarfaraz asked me to apologize but why should I do that: Shaheen Afridi

However, the pacer refused to do so and that led to an argument between the two. Also, Shaheen asked fellow pacer, Haris Rauf, to bowl bouncers at the Quetta captain. However, Shaheen narrated a completely different story as he revealed that Sarfaraz wanted him to apologize for bowling a bouncer. 

“He [Sarfaraz] asked me to apologize for the bouncer but why should I do that? It’s my right to bowl bouncers. As vice-captain, I can also give instructions to other bowlers,” Shaheen was quoted as saying by Cricket Pakistan.

After the incident both Shaheen and Sarfaraz were issued a warning by the match referee. However, no strict action was taken against the duo. Coming to the game, Quetta Gladiators registered a stunning victory over Lahore Qalandars by 18 runs.