Pakistan opener Sahibzada Farhan has transformed his controversial AK-47 gunshot celebration into a permanent fixture on his cricket bat, unveiling a new ‘Gunmode’ sticker shortly after the conclusion of the Asia Cup. The move comes despite the batter receiving a formal reprimand from the ICC for the original celebration, which had sparked a massive uproar, particularly in India.
The 28-year-old was Pakistan’s top run-scorer in the Asia Cup, amassing 217 runs in 7 games, including two fiery half-centuries against arch-rivals India. His first fifty in the Super 4s clash saw him mimic firing a rifle with his bat, a gesture that drew strong criticism in India, where it was linked to the tragic Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 Indian tourists months prior.
The Controversy: ICC Warning and Farhan’s Response
Following a complaint lodged by the BCCI, the ICC Match Referee Richie Richardson warned Farhan. The batter had pleaded not guilty to any code of conduct violation, claiming the gesture was a “traditional way of celebrating in his ethnic Pakhtun tribe” and had been used by legends like Virat Kohli and MS Dhoni in the past.
Despite the warning, Farhan’s bat maker, CS International, recently shared a video revealing the new ‘Gunmode’ bat sticker, a clear and unabashed embrace of the controversial persona. In the Asia Cup final, after scoring another fifty (a blistering 57 off 38 balls) against India, Farhan had opted for a muted celebration, simply raising his bat. However, the new sticker signals that his flamboyant and provocative style is here to stay.