Pakistan opener Sahibzada Farhan drew sharp reactions from fans on social media after making a gun-firing gesture to celebrate his fifty in the recent Super Fours match against India, being played in Dubai on September 21, 2025.
Pakistan was asked to bat first by India captain Suryakumar Yadav, who won the toss. Hardik Pandya gave India a good start, dismissing Fakhar Zaman for 15 runs. But then Sahibzada Farhan and Saim Ayub (21) added 72 runs for the second wicket.
Farhan played brilliantly well and made 58 in 45 balls with five fours and 3 sixes. Mohammad Nawaz (21) and Faheem Ashraf (20*) propelled Pakistan's total to 171/5 in 20 overs. Shivam Dube picked 2/33 in his 4 overs.
Farhan hit a massive six off Axar Patel in the 10th over to bring up his half-century, which gave Pakistan some momentum.
Farhan made a firing gun gesture while glancing at his dugout, which made his celebration contentious.
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Given that it occurred only months after the horrific Pahalgam terror assault, in which 26 defenseless Indian tourists were murdered by Pakistani assailants, this immediately garnered notice on social media.
There were sharp reactions from Indian fans on social media, while Pakistani fans cheered Farhan for the gesture, comparing it to shooting down jets.
Here are the reactions:
