Fast bowlers have had a history of celebrating aggressively, even to the point of injuring themselves like Hasan Ali. On April 22, in the 12th match for the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2025, Multan Sultans' Ubaid Shah's aggressive celebration after dismissing Lahore Qalandars' Sam Billings led to wicketkeeper Usman Khan falling on the ground.
The incident took place in the 15th over of Lahore Qalandars' run chase. Billings hit Ubaid for a couple of sixes. On the last ball of the over, Billings was caught at cover by Kamran Ghulam. Usman ran towards Ubaid to celebrate but the bowler's high-five hit him on the head. He fell on the ground and after taking a while got up as well.
Billings was Ubaid's third wicket of the evening. Earlier, he dismissed opener Fakhar Zaman who looked menacing during his 14-ball 32 cameo. Then, he knocked over Daryl Mitchell as well. From four overs, he conceded 37 runs.
Yasir's big knock, Iftikhar's finishing touch
But, it was opener Yasir Khan who stole the show and won 'Player of the match' for his 44-ball 87 featuring six fours and as many sixes. Skipper Mohammad Rizwan contributed with a 17-ball 32 whereas wicketkeeper Usman scored 39 runs from 34 balls before falling to RIshad Hossain. In the slog overs, it was Iftikhar Ahmed who launched an onslaught hitting three sixes and as many fours in his 18-ball 40. He helped Multan Sultans post 228/5.
Multan Sultans restricting Lahore Qalandars to 195/9 despite Sikandar Raza's unbeaten fifty and won the match by 33 runs. This is Multan Sultans' first win of the season.
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Why Rizwan did not keep wickets?
After the match Rizwan revealed why he did not don the wicketkeeping gloves. He wanted to talk to the bowlers. He lauded Usman as well.
"Usman Khan was instrumental in creating that momentum for us. Our bowlers have been inexperienced since the last season, I’d like to talk to them and that’s why I’ve been fielding instead of keeping," Rizwan said in the post-match presentation.
Despite the win, Multan Sultans are still placed at the bottom of the points table due to their net run rate (NRR). Their next match is against unbeaten Islamabad United on April 23.