Pak batter's gunfiring gesture attracts widespread condemnation

New Delhi: During the Super Fours clash of the 2025 Men’s T20 Asia Cup at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday between India and Pakistan, Pak opener Sahibzada Farhan, displaying a gunfiring gesture towards the dugout after hitting a six and completing a half century, courted widespread condemnation from Indian fans. The celebration gesture, which went viral on social media, has been widely seen as insensitive and provocative.

Indian Opener Abhishek Sharma smashed a scintillating 74 off 39 balls as India clinched a six-wicket victory over Pakistan on Sunday. The result also marked India’s highest successful chase against Pakistan in T20Is, as the reigning world champions maintained their unbeaten run in the competition. Sahibzada Farhan top-scored with 58, while Faheem Ashraf added late impetus with an unbeaten 20 off eight balls, as Pakistan posted 171/5 in their 20 overs.

Already, there is a lot going on between the two nations and the teams they represent, and during the first confrontation between the two teams, the Indians decided not to shake hands with the Paks, which the latter took as serious disrespect. India had won the first match, and Indian skipper Suryakumar Yadav dedicated the victory to the Pahalgam victims and armed forces.

Everything started with the Pahalgam terror attack on April 26 that killed Indian tourists, turning India-Pakistan relations terribly sour.

During the Sunday match, Suryakumar Yadav once again refused to shake hands with his Pakistan counterpart Ali Agha.

Farhan hit a towering six to reach a half ton and celebrated it by mimicking firing a gun at the dugout.

According to India Today, the Opposition in India used the gunfire row as a fresh weapon against the Centre, which sanctioned the matches with Pakistan despite widespread calls for a stoppage. The opposition parties also slammed BCCI and BJP, since both backed the Centre’s decision.