Irfan Pathan rips into Farhan, Rauf for as Pak batter defends 'insensitive' celebration: 'If you mess with us...'

Pakistan batter Sahibzada Farhan has defended his ‘insensitive’ firing gun celebration after smashing a fifty against India in the Asia Cup 2025 as something of a spur-of-the-moment decision. Farhan scored 58 off 45 balls against India in the Asia Cup 2025 Super 4 match on Sunday, but it was his firing gun celebration after reaching his fifty in 34 balls that caught all the attention.

In a match played just a few months after the Pahalgam terror attack in which Pakistani terrorists gunned down 25 Indian citizens in a heinous act, a Pakistani batter opting for a firing gun celebration was sure to attract a lot of criticism.

Sahibzada Farhan defends ‘firing gun’ celebration vs India

Amid a barrage of criticism on social media and questions by former cricketers, Farhan defended his act, claiming that it was unplanned and a symbol of his aggressive cricket.

“I think, if you talk about the sixes, you will see that (a lot) in the future. And that (celebration) was just a moment at that time. I do not do a lot of celebrations after scoring 50. But, it suddenly came to my mind that let’s do a celebration today. I did that,” he said.

“I don’t know how people will take it. I don’t care about that. And the rest, you know, you should play aggressive cricket wherever you play. It is not necessary that it is India. You should play aggressive cricket against every team, like we played,” added Farhan.

Pathan blasts Farhan, Rauf for mocking India

Meanwhile, former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan has blasted Sahibzada Farhan and Haris Rauf for their antics during the match against India, which the Men In Blue won by six wickets.

Also Read | Inspired by cricketers, Pakistan U-17 footballers attempt to troll Indian players with ’tea’, ‘fighter jet’ celebrations

Pathan underlined that while India refused to shake hands with Pakistan players to extend support to the terrorist attack victims, they never stooped to low levels like Pakistani cricketers by mocking their opponents.

“Indian cricketers are never affected. We never say anything. We quietly play our cricket. But don’t think that we won’t respond if you say something, whether you’re Australian or Pakistani. We will answer. We will answer with our bat, and we will answer you,” Pathan said on X.

“…But if you mess with us, we won’t let you go. That has been our rule. What happened in the match yesterday, whether was that Farhan’s celebration, you know what is happening between our two countries, and you are doing that celebration.

“Haris Rauf, I thought this boy was okay. When we spoke in Australia he sounded grateful. But the way he behaved yesterday, that was not necessary. How both these boys acted only tells us about their upbringing, where they come from and what they do,” Pathan added.

Pacer Rauf was seen mocking the Indian fans by making the ‘6-0’ gesture , seemingly suggesting that Pakistan shot down six Indian fighter jets during Operation Sindoor, a claim that is yet to be verified.