With a couple of World Test Championship points up for grabs, South Africa chose to field first against Pakistan on Thursday.
After a solid start from the visiting openers, Corbin Bosch set the stage for Dane Patterson to claim two key wickets, removing Saim Ayub and Babar Azam, before the debutant outfoxed Saud Shakeel in the first session.
The battle intensified as Kamran Ghulam and Mohammad Rizwan, two of Pakistan’s most industrious batters, anchored the innings, with a phase of sledging taking the spotlight.
After the Lunch break, Rabada was brought in to break the growing partnership between Rizwan and Ghulam. On the third ball of the 31st over, Rabada was forced to halt his run-up as Ghulam motioned for him to stop.
However, the batter then sledged Rabada with a few choice words, prompting the pacer to reset. Meanwhile, Rizwan walked over to Ghulam, and the stump mic captured their heated exchange, filled with expletives. Here’s a brief of the conversation caught on the mic:
Verreynne: “What did you say?”
Ghulam: “First you said ‘fk you’, now fk you.”
Verreynne: “What did you say? Huh, what did you say?”
Ghulam: “F**k you.”
Verreynne: “Come here, say it here.”
Kamran Ghulam said "F**K YOU" to Rabada and Verreynne.
— 🇿🇦 (@MarkramBot) December 26, 2024
Funny how all this aggression is coming from a team ranked No. 7, struggling on the points table, while South Africa is cruising at No. 3, soon to be No. 2 and eyeing the WTC final. Be in your limit Pakistan.#SAvPAK pic.twitter.com/KVcnaAdSgA
Such verbal exchanges are common in Test cricket, and the passionate fans on Twitter were quickly abuzz with the altercation involving the three players.