Pakistan cricketer mocked for copying Hardik Pandya's iconic pose after India's T20 World Cup triumph

Pakistan lifted their sixth Hong Kong International Sixes title as they beat Kuwait by 43 runs in the final on Sunday, November 9. This after they edged past Australia by just one run in a thrilling semifinal at the same Mission Road Ground in Mong Kok. Apart from their performance, a post-match celebration by all-rounder Muhammad Shahzad caught everyone’s attention.

After Pakistan’s victory in the summit clash, Shahzad recreated Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya ’s famous pose from India’s 2024 T20 World Cup triumph in Barbados. The celebration saw Shahzad keep the trophy on the pitch and stand behind it with shrugged shoulders, just as Hardik did after the historic T20 World Cup win.

Hardik had recreated the same pose after winning the ICC Champions Trophy in Dubai earlier this year. Shahzad shared a picture of himself doing that exact pose after securing the Hong Kong Sixes title.

Fans troll Pakistani player

Shahzad emerged as Pakistan’s leading wicket-taker with seven wickets in the tournament. Whether Shahzad’s pose was a tribute to Pandya, one of the world’s top seam-bowling all-rounders, or just a normal celebration, remains unclear. But netizens are trolling the Pakistan cricketer for copying Pandya’s iconic pose after winning an insignificant tournament.

The pose has become so famous that even Kranti Goud recreated it after lifting the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup trophy with the Indian team on November 2. Pandya’s original pose came after India’s dramatic win over Pakistan in the 2024 T20 World Cup, when he dismissed Shadab Khan in a crucial over that turned the match in their favour.