Watch: Lahore Qalandars gift gold-plated iPhone to captain Shaheen Afridi

Pakistan Super League (PSL) franchise and two-time champions Lahore Qalandars have presented their captain, Shaheen Shah Afridi, with a special gift, a 24-karat gold-plated iPhone 16 Pro, in recognition of his leadership and contributions to the team.

The franchise shared a video on social media capturing the moment when COO and team owner Sameen Rana handed over the luxurious gift to Afridi in a small ceremony. The occasion was attended by teammates and support staff, adding to the celebratory atmosphere.

Lahore Qalandars shared the video on their official Instagram account with the caption: '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 is seen visibly surprised as he opens the gift, commenting humorously, "This is heavy." The gift left everyone present in awe, particularly England's Sam Billings. Adding to the light-hearted moment, fellow fast bowler Haris Rauf joked, 'No, brother, this is unfair,' sparking laughter among the players and staff.

Speaking on the occasion, Sameen Rana revealed that the gold-plated iPhone was custom-made for Afridi, featuring engraved details including the captain's name and the Lahore Qalandars logo, a personalized tribute to his stature in the team.

This gift comes in the context of a broader culture of rewards in the PSL, though not all have been met with praise. Earlier in the tournament, Karachi Kings were criticized for gifting a hairdryer to James Vince and a hair trimmer to Hasan Ali, prompting backlash on social media.

Lahore Qalandars, however, continue to enjoy strong support, both on and off the field. So far in the current PSL season, the team has secured two wins from three matches and is currently placed third on the points table.