In a grand gesture befitting a champion, Pakistan Super League (PSL) franchise Lahore Qalandars presented their skipper, Shaheen Shah Afridi, with a custom 24-karat gold-plated iPhone 16 Pro to honor his leadership and continued contributions to the team.
The special ceremony, held in the presence of teammates and support staff, saw COO and team owner Sameen Rana personally hand over the luxurious gift to Afridi. A video capturing the moment was shared on the Qalandars’ official Instagram, instantly drawing attention and admiration from fans.
The caption read, “Our Captain Qalandar receives a gift he’s worthy of… A custom 24K gold-plated iPhone 16 Pro, made exclusively for Lahore Qalandars’ main man, Shaheen!”
In the video, Afridi appeared visibly surprised, lifting the gift box with a grin and exclaiming, “This is heavy.” The moment sparked laughter in the room, particularly when Haris Rauf jokingly commented, “No, brother, this is unfair,” while England’s Sam Billings looked on in amazement.
Sameen Rana revealed that the iPhone was custom-designed with engraved details, including Shaheen’s name and the Lahore Qalandars logo—an elegant tribute to the young fast bowler’s stature and leadership.
This move comes amid an ongoing culture of rewards in the PSL, which has seen mixed reactions. Karachi Kings, for instance, faced social media criticism for giving out less glamorous gifts such as a hairdryer and a hair trimmer to their players. In contrast, Lahore Qalandars’ thoughtful gesture has been widely praised by fans for its class and sentiment.
On the field, Qalandars are holding their ground this PSL season with two wins out of three matches, securing third place on the points table. With leadership like Shaheen’s and morale-boosting gestures like these, the franchise is aiming for another shot at the title.
