The excitement surrounding the Boxing Day Test matches is reaching new heights, with intense moments on the field fascinating the fans across the world. On one hand, Virat Kohli was involved in a physical altercation with Australia’s debutant Sam Konstas during the ongoing fourth Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 in Melbourne.
On the other side, Pakistan’s Kamran Ghulam found himself in the middle of a heated confrontation with the South African pacer Kagiso Rabada and wicketkeeper-batsman Kyle Verreynne in their ongoing two-match Test series opener at the SuperSport Park Cricket Stadium in Centurion.
South Africa is on the brink of securing a spot in the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25 Final, and they just need to beat Pakistan in one of their two Tests at home to book their berth. Meanwhile, Kamran Ghulam’s fiery temperament 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 chose to bowl first. Ghulam, known for his aggressive nature, scored a solid 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 things got heated when Kamran Ghulam stopped Kagiso Rabada when the Proteas pace sensation was about to bowl, as he had some issues with the sightscreen. Live footage showed that two spectators casually walking past the sight screen, causing the crowd to boo.
After a short discussion among the umpires, play continued, but the tension remained high. As the tension grew, Ghulam unleashed a string of abusive words towards Kagiso Rabada, despite struggling to handle the South African pacer’s fierce deliveries in the ongoing Boxing Day Test in Centurion.
Well, the exchange didn’t end there in the ongoing Boxing Day Test. Kamran Ghulam still riled up, had a verbal confrontation with Kyle Verreynne later in the Centurion Test. In a viral video, Ghulam can clearly be heard shouting “F**k you” to both Kyle Verreynne and Kagiso Rabada, intensifying the drama on the field.
Watch Kamran Ghulam’s fiery outburst here:
Kamran Ghulam said “F**K YOU” to Rabada and Verreynne.
Funny how all this aggression is coming from a team ranked No. 7, struggling on the points table, while South Africa is cruising at No. 3, soon to be No. 2 and eyeing the WTC final. Be in your limit Pakistan.#SAvPAK pic.twitter.com/KVcnaAdSgA
— H🇿🇦 (@MarkramBot) December 26, 2024
However, South African players also did not back down, and they showed the same intensity in the verbal exchange. Now, the video of Ghulam sledging Rabada and Verreynne in the ongoing Boxing Day Test is going viral on social media, where fans are asking the Pakistani player to be within his limit.
Daryn Paterson, Kagiso Rabada send Ghulam back to the pavilion in Centurion
Later, Ghulam attempted a loose shot off the Proteas pacer but missed, which brought a wry smile from Rabada as he walked toward the Pakistani batter. Ghulam responded with a bit of banter, and the two shared a playful exchange that entertained the crowd in Centurion.
Notably, Ghulam’s entertaining yet risky knock ended in disappointment, as Daryn Paterson bowled a clever delivery, dragging the ball short, after witnessing the Pakistani batter’s planned charge. Ghulam, attempting a big shot, misjudged it, and the ball flew off the top edge.
Rabada, positioned at deep backward square leg, sprinted to his left and took a calm two-handed catch to end Ghulam’s innings. He was dismissed for 54 off 71 balls, including eight boundaries and a six, in the first innings of the two-match Test series opener between Pakistan and South Africa.