Pakistan opener Sahibzada Farhan faced significant backlash after being captured on video smiling and even clapping in response to Pakistani fans making offensive remarks about Indian pacer Jasprit Bumrah. This controversial incident occurred during the third T20I match between Pakistan and South Africa at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.
The video, which quickly circulated across social media platforms, shows Farhan apparently enjoying the explicit chants targeting Bumrah, with fans reportedly chanting “Bumrah ke abbu” (Bumrah’s father).
Pakistan’s Sahibzada Farhan playing a shot during the second T20 cricket match against South Africa in Lahore on October 31, 2025.
Farhan has a notable on-field rivalry with Jasprit Bumrah, particularly from the Asia Cup 2025, where he was the sole batter to hit the Indian speedster for three sixes in a T20I. In their various encounters, Farhan has accumulated 51 runs off 34 deliveries against Bumrah, including six fours and three maximums.
He also holds the distinction of being the first Pakistani batter to hit a six off Jasprit Bumrah’s bowling in international cricket. A video titled ‘I don’t care’: Sahibzada Farhan explains what he meant with the AK-47 celebration and why he argued with Hardik Pandya also circulated after the incident.
Pakistan Secures Series Victory
In the same series, Pakistan clinched a 2-1 T20I series victory against South Africa. Fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi’s three-wicket haul and Babar Azam’s half-century were pivotal in their four-wicket win in the final match, where they successfully chased South Africa’s total of 139-9 with six wickets down in 19 overs.
Afridi’s impressive bowling performance, with figures of 3-26, set an early aggressive tone, notably dismissing Quinton de Kock and Luhan-dre Pretorius for ducks on the second and third balls of the innings.
A vibrant crowd of 32,000 witnessed Babar Azam achieve his 37th T20I half-century, a significant milestone as it was his first in 14 innings. He scored 68 runs off 47 balls, including nine boundaries. Azam and Salman Agha forged a crucial 76-run partnership for the third wicket after early dismissals of Saim Ayub and Sahibzada Farhan by the seventh over.
The match concluded with some tense moments, including Corbin Bosch dismissing Azam and quick successive dismissals of Hasan Nawaz and Mohammad Nawaz, before Usman Khan secured the victory with a single.
South Africa’s Innings Recap
South Africa’s innings faced an early collapse, losing three wickets without scoring a single run. Dewald Brevis, who survived a leg-before wicket decision, managed 21 runs with two sixes and partnered with Reeza Hendricks for a 38-run stand.
Hendricks was the top-scorer for South Africa with 34 runs, while captain Donovan Ferreira contributed 29 runs, including three sixes. Corbin Bosch’s unbeaten 30 ensured South Africa reached their final total.