Sahibzada Farhan Mocks India With Gunshot Celebration After Scoring Fifty, Video Goes Viral: Watch (AP)
Pakistan opener Sahibzada Farhan‘s celebration during the high-octane India-Pakistan Asia Cup Super Four clash in Dubai kicked off a row, with cricket fans on social media suggesting that the 28-year-old mimicked gun firing with his bat. Farhan pulled off the unusual celebration after reaching his half-century.
The timing of the symbolism of Farhan’s celebration – just months after 26 Indian tourists were killed by terrorists from Pakistan based terrorist group – led many to brand it as “deeply insensitive” and “distasteful.”
Indian fans, as well as neutral observers, accused the Pakistani batter of poor judgment in a high-stakes rivalry that already carries immense political and emotional weight.
Sahibzada Farhan came out all guns blazing in the Asia Cup match against India at the Dubai International Stadium. Farhan looked in ominous touch as he took the attack to the Indian bowlers. He was dropped in the first over, but barring the blip, he hardly gave India a chance. He reached his fifty in 34 balls and kept the Pakistan innings afloat. Farhan was severe against Jasprit Bumrah, who had one of his worst outings against Pakistan. Bumrah conceded 45 runs in four overs, and failed to pick a wicket.
India won the toss and opted to bowl. The Men in Blue expected Jasprit Bumrah and the spinners to run through the batting, as they did in the previous clash, but there was a definite change in intent from Pakistan, who were very aggressive and put the Indian bowlers under pressure. Meanwhile, after scoring the fifty, Sahibzada Farhan brought out a gun firing celebration. Farhan didn’t last long after scoring the fifty and was removed by Shivam Dube for 58.
India Make A Roaring Comeback
India were in slight trouble when Farhan was going all guns blazing, and Pakistan had reached 90-1 in 10 overs. They had a great platform set for a 200+ score, but India made a roaring comeback, courtesy of brilliant bowling in the second half and reduced Pakistan to 171-5 in 20 overs. This is still a fighting total, and Pakistan would hope to make the chase tough for India. If India manages to chase the score, they will pick their seventh consecutive win against Pakistan across formats.