Shaheen Afridi smashes bat after golden duck in PSL clash

KARACHI: Lahore Qalandars captain Shaheen Shah Afridi was left visibly furious after a rare batting failure in the Pakistan Super League, smashing his bat in frustration following a golden duck against Quetta Gladiators.

The incident took place during a one-sided clash at the National Bank Stadium, where Quetta comfortably defeated the defending champions by six wickets, further deepening Lahore’s difficult season.

Shaheen, promoted up the batting order ahead of all-rounder Sikandar Raza, walked in with hopes of providing quick momentum. However, his stay at the crease lasted just two deliveries as he failed to open his account and was dismissed without scoring.

What followed drew immediate attention. As he walked back to the pavilion, the usually composed skipper appeared visibly upset. Video footage circulating on social media showed Shaheen striking his bat against the side screen tire before repeatedly hitting it against the stairs as he made his way indoors.

The emotional reaction quickly went viral, sparking debate among fans — with some expressing concern over the pressure on the young captain, while others viewed it as a moment of frustration in a tough season.

Lahore’s struggles this year have been hard to ignore. The side has managed just two wins in six matches, leaving their title defence hanging by a thread and raising questions about consistency in both batting and leadership decisions.

Despite Shaheen’s fiery spell with the ball in previous games, his batting failure highlighted ongoing issues in Lahore’s lower-order contributions. The team once known for its aggressive dominance now finds itself battling inconsistency and slipping momentum.

As the tournament progresses, all eyes will be on how Shaheen and his side respond — whether this moment of frustration becomes a turning point or another symbol of a season going off track.