After Pakistan won the 2025 Hong Kong Sixes, an ecstatic Muhammad Shahzad took to social media, sending a strong message to India’s Dinesh Karthik. Karthik had posted earlier, “Fun start to Hong Kong Sixes. Winning against Pak.” Shahzad responded with: “Fun end to the Hong Kong Sixes. Business as usual #WeHaveARealTrophy #PAKISTANZINDABAD.” The post featured celebratory images of Shahzad with the trophy and teammates, marking a bold response to India’s earlier win.
Fun end to the Hong Kong Sixes
Business as usual 😉#WeHaveARealTrophy #PAKISTANZINDABAD https://t.co/ftxVenMpDQ pic.twitter.com/IEdvzzVA46
— Muhammad Shahzad (@imshahzad27) November 9, 2025
Why did the Jab attract attention?
Shahzad didn’t stop at words. The post also included an imitation of the signature celebration from Hardik Pandya, which quickly caught the eye of fans across platforms.
Pakistan had just won the final against Kuwait by 43 runs, securing a record sixth Hong Kong Sixes title to make them the most successful team in the event’s history.
This act, however, sparked debate as the Indian squad was primarily filled with retired or semi-retired players, whereas the Pakistan squad included an active and younger selection, which made many comment that Shahzad’s remark about the “real trophy” was uncalled for.
How Did the Tournament Upset the Script?
India had defeated Pakistan by two runs via the Duckworth-Lewis method during the group stage, a result that had given the Indians early bragging rights.
While India stumbled in the following matches, Pakistan bounced back with an aggressive run to the title. Setting up the perfect backdrop for Shahzad’s tweet, that seemed to be a continuation of the on-field rivalry, but one that just didn’t land well with many.
Why Did the Post Backfire?
Shahzad’s jab quickly drew disparate responses. Fans and analysts felt that his attempt at banter failed to account for the context of the event.
While the Hong Kong Sixes remains a celebrated format because it is an immensely entertaining one, it does not carry the same competitive weight as international tournaments.
The “real trophy” comment and Pandya-style celebration came across as tone-deaf, particularly when directed at a veteran like Karthik, one of the greatest servants the game has had in Indian cricket.
What’s the Takeaway from This Episode?
The episode underlines how sporting triumphs can immediately become social-media talking points and how intent can easily get lost in translation online.
What was meant as a lighthearted boast turned into a mini controversy, overshadowing Pakistan’s on-field success. The line between banter and backlash continues to blur for modern athletes, every post is under the scanner of global fandom.
