Former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram has called out Abrar Ahmed for his send-off to Shubman Gill after dismissing him in the Champions Trophy 2025 clash against India on Sunday in Dubai. Akram has urged the players to be humble as such celebrations don't look good on TV, especially when the team is struggling.
The dismissal of Gill occurred in the 18th over of the innings as Abrar ripped one past the right-handed batter's outside edge to hit the stumps. The 26-year-old folded his hands moments later and signalled with his eyes, telling the batter to go off the pitch. The celebration has prompted massive backlash even among the fans. Nevertheless, the wrist-spinner took figures of 10-0-28-1.
Speaking on Sports Central, Akram said:
"I was impressed with the ball, but I wasn't with the celebration. Time aur jagah hoti hai yaar. Jeet rahe ho, thik hai celebrate kar lo. Lekin pata hai, phanse hue hain, wicket mil gayi hai. Be humble, be humble. But that's not happening. Isko bataane waala koi nahin hai. This doesn't even look nice on tv."
(I was impressed with the ball, but I wasn't with the celebration. There is a time and place. If you are winning and celebrating, there's no harm. But you know, we are struggling in the game. You have to be humble. But that's not happening and no one is there to tell him. It doesn't even look nice and tv.)
Virat Kohli's 51st ODI century leads India to thumping win over Pakistan despite Abrar Ahmed's impressive spell
Meanwhile, the match result went in India's favour as they registered a thumping victory over Pakistan, making it two wins for them in the eight-team tournament. Batting first, the Men in Green put up a decent 241 as Saud Shakeel top-scored with 62, while Mohammad Rizwan and Khushdil Shah chipped in with 46 and 38 runs, respectively.
However, the defending champions couldn't get wickets in regular intervals and Virat Kohli absorbed the pressure to steer the game to his direction. Shubman Gill contributed with 46 runs, while Shreyas Iyer made 56. With that, the Men in Blue have almost sealed their spot in the semi-finals, while Pakistan are on the brink of elimination.
