New Delhi: India batter Abhishek Sharma gave a light-hearted response when asked which cricketer spends the most time in front of the mirror, but instead of immediately naming an Indian player, he pointed towards Afghanistan pacer Fazalhaq Farooqi.
Abhishek made the comment during the Koh-E-Zafar (Mountain of Triumph) event in New Delhi, held ahead of the third and final T20I between India and Afghanistan. The event brought players and officials from both teams together for an informal interaction featuring India captain Shreyas Iyer, Abhishek Sharma and Ishan Kishan, alongside Afghanistan’s Ibrahim Zadran, Mohammad Nabi and Gulbadin Naib.
The conversation took a humorous turn when Abhishek was asked to identify the Indian cricketer who spends the most time looking at himself in the mirror. The youngster first shifted the question towards the Afghanistan camp before eventually naming an Indian teammate.
Abhishek picks Fazalhaq Farooqi
Abhishek said he was not sure about the Indian players but had a clear answer when it came to the Afghanistan squad.
He named Fazalhaq Farooqi, his former Sunrisers Hyderabad teammate, saying the Afghanistan pacer spends considerable time looking at himself in the mirror. Abhishek then added a playful reference to Farooqi’s recent marriage.
The exchange was part of the relaxed atmosphere at the Koh-E-Zafar gathering, where players from the two sides interacted away from the pressure of the cricket field.
Farooqi and Abhishek have previously shared the dressing room in the Indian Premier League with Sunrisers Hyderabad. Their familiarity helped add a personal touch to the answer.
Shivam Dube gets Abhishek’s Indian pick
After initially naming Farooqi, Abhishek was asked to answer specifically for the Indian team.
He then chose all-rounder Shivam Dube.
The comment added another humorous moment to the interaction, which also saw Ishan Kishan receive a playful label from his teammates. Shreyas Iyer and Abhishek both identified Kishan as the “biggest prankster” in Indian cricket.
Kishan, meanwhile, pointed towards leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi when asked a similar question about his teammates.
The informal exchanges offered a glimpse into the camaraderie among members of the Indian team, with players willing to poke fun at each other during an event organised before the final match of the series.
Koh-E-Zafar event brings India and Afghanistan together
The Koh-E-Zafar event was organised by the Afghanistan Cricket Board in New Delhi as part of the Friendship Cup 2026 activities.
India and Afghanistan were involved in a three-match T20I series, with the teams meeting in New Delhi. At the time of the event, India had already taken an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series after winning the first two matches by seven wickets each.
The gathering included several prominent players from both sides and was designed as a celebration of the relationship and development of Afghanistan cricket.
The Afghanistan Premier League trophy was also displayed during the event. The league was scheduled to begin on December 27, 2026, with five teams set to participate in the upcoming season.
The event also featured the launch of the Suzuki Cup India-Japan trophy, adding another international cricket connection to the occasion.
Abhishek’s comments come after strong T20I form
Abhishek entered the final Afghanistan T20I in strong form. India had already secured the series after winning the opening two matches, while the third game provided an opportunity for the team to complete a clean sweep.
The left-handed opener had been one of India’s key attacking batters in the format. His aggressive approach at the top of the order has made him an important part of India’s T20I plans.
The Afghanistan series also formed part of India’s preparations for the next phase of their international schedule, with the team set to travel to Japan for the Asian Games campaign.
According to the NDTV report, the final T20I between India and Afghanistan was scheduled for September 17 at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi.
Farooqi recently married again
Abhishek’s reference to Farooqi’s marriage was another reason the exchange attracted attention.
The India batter congratulated the Afghanistan fast bowler during his answer, mentioning that Farooqi had recently married again. The remark was delivered in a light-hearted setting and was part of the friendly interaction between players from the two teams.
Farooqi has been a familiar figure to Indian cricket fans through his appearances in franchise cricket and international matches for Afghanistan. His previous association with Abhishek at Sunrisers Hyderabad also made him a natural choice for the joke.
The interaction highlighted the friendly relationship between players who regularly meet through international and franchise cricket.
India complete Afghanistan assignment
The light-hearted event came around a series that India ultimately dominated. India entered the third T20I with a 2-0 lead and subsequently completed a 3-0 sweep, defeating Afghanistan by 127 runs in the final match.
Abhishek was the star of that contest, smashing 108 off 34 balls, including 11 sixes and nine fours. He reached his century in just 30 deliveries, setting a new record for the fastest T20I hundred in a match between full-member nations. India posted 221/7 before bowling Afghanistan out for 94.
The record-breaking performance gave Abhishek another major milestone, while the Koh-E-Zafar event offered a much more relaxed side of the young India star.
From cricketing records to playful dressing-room conversations, Abhishek’s role in the Afghanistan series provided plenty for Indian fans to follow.