Pakistan batter Sahibzada Farhan sparks outrage with AK-47 celebration against India in Asia Cup 2025, saying “Mujhe parwah nahi.”
Pakistan batsman Sahibzada Farhan has again landed in trouble after his half-century during the Asia Cup 2025 Super 4 clash against India. Though his 45-ball 58-run innings took Pakistan to a decent 171, it is his post-half-century celebration AK-47 gesture that has set tongues wagging for all the wrong reasons.
Farhan’s choice of celebration has been widely condemned. Using a gun gesture in the middle of an international match, especially against a rival like India, reflects poor judgment and a disregard for sportsmanship.
“This isn’t just about celebrating a half-century,” said a former player. “It’s about setting an example for millions of fans, including young children. An AK-47 gesture is not a celebration—it’s a provocation.”
Social media went into overdrive following the match, with most fans blasting Farhan for being insensitive and inconsiderate. Footage of the gesture spread far and wide, triggering swift denunciation and ridicule. Some branded it "juvenile" and "distasteful," wondering how a national player could publicly show aggression in this way.
At the press conference, Farhan tried to explain his behavior, labeling it an "impulsive celebration" and part of his hard-hitting attitude to cricket. He claimed hard-hitting batting is needed against every team, not only India. But his flippant approach "I don't care how people will take it" did little to silence the criticism.
Farhan's failure to show remorse indicates a trend of irresponsibility. Rather than thinking about the implications on his actions on a large scale, he appears only concerned about his own expression at the cost of the diplomatic and sporting image.
For a sport which prides itself on fair play, Farhan's action is a disquieting precedent. Young cricketers tend to regard international players as role models, and it undermines such action as bringing aggression into the mainstream. Commentators have pointed out that in a fraught India-Pakistan sporting rivalry, restraint and respect must precede divisive displays that fuel hostilities.
While Farhan's batting added to Pakistan's tally, the AK-47 celebration tops his performance. Cricket is not just runs and numbers; it is a sport about professionalism, dignity, and responsibility. Farhan's words of "mujhe parwah nahi" are an alarming sign of disrespect for these values, and this episode is an eye-opener for sportsmen on and off the playing field.
