Pakistan opener Sahibzada Farhan stirred controversy on Sunday, September 21, during the Asia Cup Super Four clash between India and Pakistan with his unusual celebration. After scoring a quickfire fifty in just 34 balls, Farhan turned toward the dugout and mimicked firing an AK-47, a gesture that instantly went viral and triggered backlash online.
Former Pakistan cricketer Danish Kaneria reacted sharply to the act, saying the Indian openers Shubman Gill and Abhishek Sharma gave a fitting reply with their bats. Speaking to IANS, Kaneria remarked, “Sahibzada Farhan signaled an AK-47, but Shubman Gill and Abhishek Sharma responded with a BrahMos of their own, letting their bats do the talking.”
Kaneria lauded the Indian openers for their aggressive yet classy batting display. “If you have players like Shubman Gill and Abhishek Sharma, then 200 runs are nothing for you. They let their performance speak, not their mouths. Abhishek even blew a flying kiss in reply,” he noted.
He further said that while Farhan’s act sparked criticism, Gill and Abhishek showed character on the field. “There’s a Dhulaai, and then there’s a Maha Dhulaai. Our religion teaches us to spread love, and that’s what they did – unhone pyaar se maara,” Kaneria added.
The timing of Farhan’s gesture made it more controversial, as it came months after the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack in which 26 tourists lost their lives. Many on social media slammed the celebration as insensitive, linking it to recent violence.
Kaneria concluded by highlighting Abhishek Sharma’s intent: “If Abhishek had not gotten out, the match would have ended even earlier. He was playing smart, sensible cricket.”
