Dubai: After scoring 58 runs off 45 balls against India in the Asia Cup 2025 Super 4 match, Pakistan opener Sahibzada Farhan’s “gunshot” celebration has caused a lot of debate. Farhan’s half-century gave Pakistan a strong start, but the celebration after he reached 50 was what made the news.
Farhan made a gun motion to honor his achievement, which shocked a lot of people. Some critics said the move was bad since it sounded confrontational.
Sahibzada Farhan's Instagram Post. 🔥⚡#SahibzadaFarhan #CAbat pic.twitter.com/G8eL9Ep92u
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Later, Farhan stood up for his celebration:
“I don’t usually celebrate much after scoring 50, but I thought of doing it today.” I don’t care how people will react; I don’t care. You should always play aggressive cricket, not only when you play India.
A report said that the International Cricket Council (ICC) only gave Farhan a warning after the incident. Sources said that match referee Richie Richardson held a hearing at the hotel where the teams were staying. Farhan got a warning, while his partner Haris Rauf had to pay 30% of his match expenses for being violent.
Sources said that both players came to see Richardson in person, along with Pakistan team manager Naveed Akram Cheema, even though they had already sent in written responses.
Farhan reportedly told officials that the gun gesture is a traditional method for his Pashtun community to celebrate, and he pointed out that Indian star Virat Kohli had done something similar to recognize accomplishments.
When Farhan did the gunshot gesture again during a recent advertising shoot, the controversy came back up, sparking more talk among cricket fans about sportsmanship and celebrations on the field.