PSL 2022: Match Referee warns Haris Rauf for slapping teammate Kamran Ghulam

Controversy took center stage in the last league-stage match of Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2022 as Haris Rauf slapped his teammate Kamran Ghulam for dropping a catch off his bowling. Notably, momentum was enjoying a rollercoaster ride in the game as there was tension in both camps. Rauf produced an opportunity of dismissing Hazratullah Zazai in the very second over of the game.

However, all-rounder Kamran Ghulam couldn’t give the pacer the required support and dropped the catch. Three balls later, Rauf dismissed Zazai’s opening partner Mohammad Haris and was evidently pumped up. Many of his teammates converged to congratulate him and Kamran Ghulam was one of them. Aggression then got the better of Rauf as he slapped Ghulam.

Wreck-it-Rauf gets Haris! #HBLPSL7 l #LevelHai l #LQvPZ pic.twitter.com/wwczV5GliZ

— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) February 21, 2022

Aggression got the better of Haris Rauf  

His actions left Twitterati divided. While many fans slammed the speedster for his over-the-top reaction, several reckoned his actions weren’t intentional. Meanwhile, as per a report in Cricket Pakistan, Rauf, after the conclusion of the game, was summoned by the match referee Ali Naqvi. Fortunately for Lahore Qalandars, no serious action was taken against Rauf and he was let go with a warning.

Notably, later in the game, Rauf was seen giving a friendly hug to Ghulam and it suggests there’s no bad blood between the two. Meanwhile, Mohammad Haris was Rauf’s only victim in the game as he finished with figures of 1/36 in his quota of four overs. Peshawar Zalmi eventually posted 158/7 in their allotted 20 overs.

Chasing the tricky target, the Qalandars looked entirely down and out after being reduced to 94/6. However, a timely cameo from skipper Shaheen Afridi added spice in the contest. The southpaw slammed an unbeaten 39 off 20 deliveries as the game ended in a draw. However, the Peshawar-based side eventually won the game in the super over.

Meanwhile, PSL 2022 now moves to the playoff stage. With a place in the final at stakes, the Qalandars will now take on defending champions Multan Sultans in the Qualifier on February 23. On the other hand, Peshawar Zalmi will battle it out with Islamabad United in Eliminator 1.