In a fiery showdown during the season opener of Lanka Premier League’s fourth season, tensions rose as Jaffna Kings faced off against Colombo Strikers on July 30 at R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. Naseem Shah, the Colombo pacer, brought an explosive 21-run inning of Afghanistan’s wicketkeeper-batter Rahmanullah Gurbaz to an end, accompanied by a controversial send-off that has since gone viral.
Gurbaz showcased his prowess with two maximums and one boundary in just 11 balls, setting the stage for an exhilarating match. However, his dynamic performance was cut short by Shah’s impressive delivery, leading to a stunning catch by Ramesh Mends near the boundary.
As Gurbaz began his walk back to the pavilion after scoring 21 runs, Naseem Shah erupted in a wild celebration, accompanied by a heated exchange. The video capturing the incident quickly spread across social media platforms, showing Shah shouting profanities during the confrontation with his Afghan and Colombo rival.
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Watch Naseem Shah’s Heated Send-Off to Rahmanullah Gurbaz Video
SPECTACULAR diving catch by Mendis!#LPL2023onFanCode #LPL2023 pic.twitter.com/tiXhJ0HfFX
— FanCode (@FanCode) July 30, 2023
Despite the intense moment, Gurbaz maintained his composure and chose not to escalate the situation. The match eventually saw Jaffna Kings post a total of 173 runs in 20 overs, losing five wickets. In response, they managed to dismiss Colombo Strikers for 152 in 19.4 overs, securing a 21-run victory in the thrilling encounter.