Sahibzada Farhan performed a tremendous innings for Pakistan within the Asia Cup 2025 Tremendous 4s conflict towards India on the Dubai Worldwide Stadium on Sunday September 21. The 29-year-old opener, who struggled for type every week earlier, appeared decided as he raced to a fluent 58 off 34 balls, giving Pakistan a flying begin. His aggressive stroke play stored the Indian bowlers below strain, and he was simply the standout batter for his aspect in an in any other case inconsistent innings.
Nevertheless, as a substitute of his batting brilliance being the central speaking level, it was his controversial gun celebration after reaching his half-century that drew world consideration.
Sahibzada Farhan’s controversial gun celebration sparks outrage
Upon finishing his fifty, Farhan mimicked firing a gun together with his bat – a gesture that instantly sparked outrage amongst Indian followers. Given the delicate geopolitical local weather and up to date tensions between India and Pakistan, many interpreted the celebration as being in poor style.
Critics recommended the act might be mocking the victims of the Pahalgam terror assault, whereas others believed it was an oblique nod to the Pakistani military’s narrative throughout latest border actions. Social media was rapidly flooded with reactions, with Indian followers condemning the celebration as disrespectful in a high-stakes India vs Pakistan encounter.
Farhan defends his celebration towards India
Talking at a press convention on Monday, forward of Pakistan’s second Tremendous 4s match towards Sri Lanka, Farhan remained defiant when requested in regards to the controversy. He dismissed the criticism, saying he didn’t care how folks interpreted the gesture.
“I don’t care what anybody thinks. That celebration was only a second – it got here instantly to my thoughts. Usually, I don’t have a good time a lot after a fifty, however that day I did. I don’t understand how folks will take it, however I don’t care. You need to all the time play aggressive cricket, not solely towards India however towards each workforce,” Farhan defined.
The opener additionally promised followers that his attacking type and power-hitting, together with extra sixes, would proceed in future matches.
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Transferring past the controversy, Farhan highlighted Pakistan’s key tactical focus forward of their must-win conflict towards Sri Lanka in Abu Dhabi. He admitted that Pakistan had been responsible of dropping early wickets in latest matches, which undermined their momentum within the powerplay overs.
“In the previous few matches, we weren’t utilising the powerplays nicely. We had been dropping wickets early. It’s vital to attain runs upfront with out gifting away wickets. In opposition to India, we managed to attain almost 90 runs within the first 10 overs, which was an enormous optimistic. Sure, we collapsed within the center overs, however we’ll rectify that,” Farhan stated.
The opener confused the significance of constructing robust begins to set the platform for Pakistan’s center order, which has struggled for consistency all through the Asia Cup.
Additionally READ: PAK vs SL, Asia Cup 2025, Tremendous 4s Match Prediction – Who will win at present’s recreation between Pakistan and Sri Lanka?
