The excitement surrounding Boxing Day Test matches reaches new heights, with intense on-field moments enthralling fans around the world. On the one hand, Virat Kohli was involved in a physical altercation with Australian debutant Sam Constas during the ongoing fourth Test of the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Melbourne.
On the other hand, Pakistan’s Kamran Ghulam was caught in the middle of a heated confrontation with South African paceman Kagiso Rabada and wicketkeeper-batsman Kyle Verreynne in the opener of the ongoing two-match Test series at the SuperSport Park Cricket Stadium in Centurion.
South Africa are on the verge of securing a place in the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25 Finals and they need to beat Pakistan in one of their two Tests at home to book their place. Meanwhile, Kamran Ghulam’s fiery temper is the highlight of the ongoing Boxing Day Test.
Kamran Ghulam abuses Kagiso Rabada and Kyle Verreynne in the Boxing Day Test
In the ongoing Boxing Day Test at Centurion, the South African side won the toss and elected to bowl first. Known for his aggressive nature, Ghulam scored 54 off 71 balls to help Pakistan post a respectable total of 211 runs on the board in their first innings against the Proteas side.
But just as the Proteas pace was about to be felt, things heated up when Kamran Ghulam stopped Kagiso Rabada as he had some problems with his vision screen. Live footage showed two spectators accidentally walking past the display screen, causing the crowd to scream.
After a brief discussion between the umpires, play resumed, but tensions remained high. As tensions mounted, Ghulam hurled a series of insults at Kagiso Rabada in the ongoing Boxing Day Test in Centurion despite the South African pacer struggling to handle his fierce deliveries.
Well, the exchange didn’t end there in the ongoing Boxing Day Test. Kamran Ghulam, still fuming, later had a verbal confrontation with Kyle Verreynne in the Centurion Test. In a viral video, Ghulam can be clearly heard shouting “F**k you” at both Kyle Verreynne and Kagiso Rabada, adding to the on-field drama.
Watch Kamran Ghulam’s fiery speech here:
Kamran Ghulam said “F**K YOU” to Raba and Verreyn.
It’s funny how all this aggression comes from a struggling No. 7 team in the points table, while South Africa is at No. 3, soon to be No. 2 and waiting for the WTC final. Be Pakistan at the limit.#SAvPAK pic.twitter.com/KVcnaAdSgA
— H🇿🇦 (@MarkramBot) December 26, 2024
However, the South African players did not hold back and showed the same intensity in the verbal exchange. Now, a video of Ghulam bowling with Rabada and Verreynne in the ongoing Boxing Day Test is going viral on social media, with fans pleading with the Pakistani player to stay within limits.
Daryn Paterson sends Kagiso Rabada Ghulam back to the pavilion at Centurion
Ghulam then attempted a loose shot from the Proteas pacer but missed, resulting in Rabada smirking as he walked towards the Pakistani. Ghulam responded with some banter and the two shared a playful exchange that entertained the crowd at Centurion.
Notably, Ghulam’s entertaining but risky shot ended in disappointment as Daryn Paterson smartly pulled the ball short after witnessing the Pakistani striker’s intended strike. Ghulam attempted a big shot, mistimed it and the ball flew over the top edge.
Rabada, settling at deep backward square leg, ran to his left and took a calm two-handed catch to end Ghulam’s shot. He was dismissed for 54 off 71 balls, including eight boundaries and a six, in the opener of the two-match Test series between Pakistan and South Africa.
