Pakistan lost to India three times in the Asia Cup, including the title clash.
Sahibzada Farhan’s performance was probably the only silver lining for Pakistan in their three successive defeats at the hands of India during the recent held Asia Cup T20 in the UAE.
The right-handed opener returned with scores of 40, 58 and 57 in three outings against India. However, his performance wasn’t good enough to help his team beat the arch-rivals.
Despite Pakistan’s humiliation in the continental tournament against India, including the final, Sahibzada is being celebrated in his country. Recently, he was felicitated in his hometown – Charsadda.
Notably, Sahibzada Farhan grabbed the headlines for his provocative gestures during the Asia Cup Super 4 clash against India on September 21 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. He performed a gun-shot celebration after reaching his half-century and was reprimanded by the ICC for the same.
Sahibzada continued his good form in the title clash, becoming the first batter to hit three sixes off India’s ace pacer Jasprit Bumrah in T20Is. He forged an 84-run opening stand with Fakhar Zaman, but the Men in Green could not capitalise, losing their last nine wickets for 33 runs, to be bundled out for 146.
Kuldeep Yadav starred with the ball for India, returning with the figures of 4/30 in four overs while Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakaravarthy and Axar Patel picked up two wickets each.
In reply, the Men in Blue overhauled the target with two deliveries to spare, thanks to Tilak Varma’s 69* off 53 balls and crucial contributions from Shivam Dube (33 off 22) and Sanju Samson (24 off 21).
After the triumph, the Suryakumar Yadav-led Indian side refused to receive their winners' trophy and medallions from ACC and PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi, who is also Pakistan’s Interior Minister and posted anti-India sentiments on social media throughout the tournament.
Furious with India’s stance, Naqvi took the silverware and medals to his hotel room. After BCCI’s protest, the PCB boss has reportedly said that if India wants the trophy and medals, skipper Suryakumar can collect them from his ACC office in Dubai.
According to Pakistan media, Naqvi is now set to receive the Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Excellence Gold Medal for his “principled and courageous stance,” a move organisers say “restored national pride.” The ceremony is planned in Karachi with PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari invited as chief guest.