Lahore Qalandars rode on a 69-run stand between Abdullah Shafique (48 in 35 balls) and Sam Billings (54 in 35) to post 180-9 at the PSL 2023 clash after Shaheen won the toss and opted to bat at the Gaddafi Stadium.

For the Multan Sultans, Kieron Pollard claimed 2-16, Anwar Ali 2-21, Abbas Afridi 2-25, and Ihsanullah 2-33. Rizwan claimed an outstanding catch off Ihsanullah to dismiss Mirza Baig.

Opening batting with Shan Masood, Rizwan took on Zaman Khan, smashing a violent pull for six over square-leg, then flicking him towards the same direction for four, both in the fourth over.

Shaheen replaced himself with Rauf at the other end, and Shan Masood got a run off the second ball. Rizwan dispatched the next ball to the square-leg fence, and the Sultans reached 29-0 in 4.3 overs.

Rauf’s next ball came at 141.7 kph. Rizwan tried to pull, but was slightly late into his shot, and the ball thudded on to his right arm. Amidst all that, Shan called for a leg-bye, and Rizwan responded despite losing his bat in the process.

As Rizwan walked towards the striker’s end to retrieve his bat, wicketkeeper Billings checked on him. Then Shaheen moved up to Rizwan, to rub on Rizwan’s elbow (or perhaps, to ’console’ him, as per the PSL official Twitter account).

It did not sit well with the commentators, who proclaimed, “what Shaheen did after that [the blow] wasn’t really required.” Aided by some medical care, Rizwan was meanwhile back on his feet, smiling, as Rauf joined in.

Rizwan was eventually trapped leg-before by Sikandar Raza, for 30. The Sultans lost their way in the middle overs against Rashid Khan (3-15). Only Pollard (39 in 28 balls) put up some resistance as they finished on 159-7.

Watch the Haris Rauf-Mohammad Rizwan-Shaheen Shah Afridi incident here:

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Rizwan is consoled by Shaheen after being struck on the arm.#HBLPSL8 | #SabSitarayHumaray | #LQvMS pic.twitter.com/e4g9KBbeWH

— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) March 4, 2023