The highly anticipated India-Pakistan Asia Cup Super Four match in Dubai delivered a truly unforgettable and instantly viral moment, courtesy of Pakistani opener Sahibzada Farhan. As he celebrated a well-deserved half-century, Farhan pulled off an unusually bold and controversial gesture.
The incident occurred in the 10th over, with Farhan confidently dispatching a short delivery from Axar Patel deep over midwicket for a six. This powerful shot not only brought up his fifty in spectacular fashion but also triggered his unique celebration. The 28-year-old mimicked firing an AK-47 rifle with his bat, a display that immediately captivated and divided opinions among spectators and online audiences.
This striking celebration quickly spread across social media, sparking intense discussions. Farhan’s aggressive batting had been crucial to Pakistan’s strong start, as he reached his fifty off just 34 balls, including five fours and three sixes, maintaining an impressive strike rate. His partnership with Saim Ayub was instrumental in steadying Pakistan’s innings after the early loss of Fakhar Zaman, who was dismissed cheaply by Hardik Pandya in the third over.
At the halfway mark, Pakistan found themselves in a strong position at 93/2, with Farhan providing a solid anchor and Hussain Talat beginning to settle in. India’s bowlers, despite Jasprit Bumrah’s probing new-ball spell and Kuldeep Yadav’s typically economical performance in the middle overs, faced considerable pressure from the Pakistani batsmen.
However, the focus of the match momentarily shifted from the on-field action to Farhan’s AK-47 gesture. While some fans lauded it as a display of passion and flair, others sharply criticized the choice of celebration, particularly in the context of an India-Pakistan match, given the sensitive political backdrop between the two nations. The debate over the appropriateness of the celebration continued to rage online, with numerous clips circulating widely.
With many overs remaining in the innings, Sahibzada Farhan’s powerful and provocative knock had undoubtedly set a charged and electrifying tone for the evening’s play in Dubai.