Colombo: Pakistan opener Sahibzada Farhan produced one of his finest knocks in international cricket during the Asia Cup 2025 Super Four clash against India on Sunday. His blistering half-century gave Pakistan a flying start, but the celebration that followed his milestone has drawn widespread condemnation and overshadowed his performance.

Farhan’s explosive innings

Farhan came out with intent, targeting India’s spinners during the powerplay. He smashed five boundaries and three sixes, racing to his fifty in just 31 balls. The highlight of his innings came when he launched Axar Patel for a towering six to bring up the landmark, helping Pakistan reach 91 runs in the first 10 overs.

His stroke play and confidence gave Pakistan a strong platform in a high-voltage contest, with commentators lauding the opener’s aggressive mindset.

Controversial celebration

However, moments after raising his bat, Farhan turned toward the Pakistan dugout and mimicked a “gun-firing” gesture. The celebration, captured live on television, sparked immediate outrage across social media platforms.

The backlash was amplified due to its sensitive timing: just months earlier, 26 Indian tourists were killed in the Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir, an assault linked to Pakistan-based militants. Against this backdrop, many described Farhan’s act as “deeply insensitive” and “distasteful.”

Social media backlash

Twitter, Instagram, and cricket forums lit up with reactions. Indian fans accused Farhan of mocking a tragedy, while neutral voices urged players to be more mindful of political and social contexts during high-profile matches.

A section of Pakistani supporters attempted to defend the batsman, calling the act “heat-of-the-moment exuberance” rather than a political statement. Yet the majority condemned the celebration as poor judgment in a fixture already burdened with intense rivalry.

 

Cricket and politics collide again

India–Pakistan cricket clashes have historically been more than just sporting contests. Every on-field action is magnified under the political and cultural tensions between the two nations. Experts pointed out that players must exercise restraint, as gestures can be interpreted beyond the sporting arena.

So far, neither the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) nor the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) has issued an official statement. However, there is growing speculation that the match referee may include the incident in his post-match report.

Conclusion

Farhan’s aggressive batting earned applause, but his celebratory gesture has turned the spotlight away from his cricketing achievement. With India–Pakistan matches already under global scrutiny, the episode once again highlights how players’ actions can spark controversy that extends far beyond the boundary ropes.