Pakistan opener Sahibzada Farhan has come forward to defend his on-field celebration during the Super 4s clash against India in the ongoing Asia Cup 2025. The right-handed batsman marked his fifty with a ‘gun celebration,’ raising his bat across his body as if aiming or firing a shot. The gesture quickly drew widespread criticism, with many viewers linking it to the Pahalgam terror attack earlier this year, which tragically claimed over 25 civilian lives.
Following the incident, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) filed an official complaint with the International Cricket Council (ICC), prompting a hearing in Dubai on Friday, September 26.
Sahibzada Farhan appeared before the ICC panel and defended his celebration, insisting that it was not politically motivated. According to India Today, he highlighted that such celebratory gestures have precedent in international cricket, citing former Indian captains MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli performing similar actions in the past.
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Farhan also explained the cultural context behind the gesture, noting that, as a Pathan, such expressions are part of regional traditions and commonly appear during moments of personal joy or achievement. He emphasised that his actions were purely celebratory and not intended to convey any political message.
Sahibzada Farhan responds to ICC over gun celebration after BCCI objection.
He said, “My celebration wasn’t meant as a political statement. In the past, players like Dhoni and Kohli have also celebrated with gun gestures. I’m a Pathan, and in our culture, guns are a traditional… pic.twitter.com/wN65IDc5Hz
— Salman. (@TsMeSalman) September 26, 2025
The ICC hearing also addressed the complaint against Pakistan pacer Haris Rauf for his objectionable conduct during the same match. Meanwhile, India captain Suryakumar Yadav has pleaded not guilty after the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) lodged a complaint against him for comments made following India’s group-stage victory over Pakistan earlier in the tournament.
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India and Pakistan are set to face each other for the third time in the Asia Cup 2025 final on Sunday. India currently leads the head-to-head in the tournament, having won the first clash by seven wickets and the second by six wickets, and will enter the summit clash as firm favourites.
This incident has added an extra layer of tension to what promises to be a high-stakes, highly anticipated final between the arch-rivals.
