Lahore Qalandars Celebrate PSL Victory with iPhone Gifts for Players

Lahore Qalandars celebrated their third Pakistan Super League title with a unique gesture from captain Shaheen Afridi, who announced that every player would receive an iPhone. This decision led to wild celebrations in the dressing room and sparked a flurry of reactions on social media, with many users mocking the players for their enthusiastic response. The Qalandars, who had a rocky start in the league, turned their fortunes around in the playoffs, ultimately defeating Quetta Gladiators in the final. This victory not only solidified their status as the most successful team in PSL history but also marked a shift in the franchise's tradition of awarding iPhones only to the 'Player of the Match.'

By Narendra Chaudhary May 31, 2025, 12:15 IST

Lahore Qalandars' Historic PSL Win

Shaheen Afridi, the captain of Lahore Qalandars, revealed that each player would receive an iPhone as a reward after the team secured their third Pakistan Super League (PSL) title on May 25.

With this victory, Lahore Qalandars has established itself as the most successful team in PSL history, triumphing over Quetta Gladiators at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. Chasing a target of 202 runs, the Qalandars achieved their goal with just one ball remaining. Kusal Perera was instrumental in this success, scoring an impressive 62 runs off 31 balls, while Mohammad Naeem and Abdullah Shafique contributed significantly with scores of 46 and 41, respectively.

Celebrations in the Dressing Room

Following their championship win, the Lahore Qalandars players erupted in joy in the dressing room after Afridi's announcement about the iPhone gifts.

A video that circulated widely on social media featured a team member hinting at the iPhone gifts, stating, 'Throughout this journey, we have seen people winning iPhones, and they deserve the same.' Afridi confirmed this by saying, 'Sab ke liye iPhone' (Everyone will get an iPhone), which led to ecstatic celebrations among the players.

Social Media Reactions

The announcement quickly became a topic of discussion online, with many netizens mocking the players for their exuberant reactions. Comments ranged from questioning whether the players had ever owned an iPhone to criticizing their behavior as overly dramatic.

Some users humorously suggested that the excitement over the iPhones was unwarranted, while others made light of the situation, comparing the players' reactions to those of individuals who had just won a significant prize.

A Shift in Tradition

This gesture marked a departure from the Qalandars' usual practice of awarding iPhones only to the 'Player of the Match' after each game. After clinching their third title in four years, Afridi opted for a more inclusive celebration.

Despite a challenging league stage where they finished fourth with five wins and four losses, the Qalandars bounced back in the semifinals, defeating Karachi Kings by six wickets to reach the final. In the championship match, they showcased a strong all-around performance to outplay Quetta Gladiators, who had previously topped the table.