Lahore Qalandars secured their first win of the PSL 2024 season in their eighth match, showcasing remarkable resilience in defending a modest total of 162/7. Islamabad United suffered a collapse in the middle order, failing to surpass 30 runs, with their innings crumbling to 38/6.
Only a late onslaught by Naseem Shah salvaged some pride for them in terms of net run rate. However, Naseem’s return to form was marred by a tense moment when he almost had to retire hurt due to a calf injury sustained while sprinting for a quick single.
In a heart-stopping incident during the 14th over, Naseem’s attempt to complete a run was interrupted by a ferocious throw from Shaheen Afridi at cover. The ball struck Naseem’s calf with force, causing him to lose balance and tumble to the ground, flinging his bat in the process.
Afridi, realizing the gravity of the situation, rushed to assist his teammate, and it took several minutes for Naseem to regain his composure and stand up, albeit with a visible limp.
Despite the setback, Naseem displayed resilience and retaliated by hitting Afridi for consecutive sixes in the 16th over. However, his aggressive innings was short-lived as he was dismissed on the next delivery after scoring 27 runs. In a heartwarming moment, Naseem shared a smile and exchanged words with Afridi, who reciprocated with a grin of his own.
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The gesture was followed by Afridi draping his arm around Naseem’s shoulder, symbolizing camaraderie and sportsmanship between the two players. This touching scene sparked a flurry of reactions on social media, highlighting the spirit of unity and mutual respect in cricket.