Former Pakistan Test cricketer Ahmed Shehzad has criticised the celebrations of Indian players following their victory over Pakistan in the Under-19 Asia Cup final, urging young cricketers to respect the spirit of the game and their opponents.
Some Indian players were seen making aggressive and inappropriate gestures towards Pakistani players, particularly wicketkeeper Hamza Zahoor, after securing a one-wicket victory on the final ball.
Videos of the incident circulated widely on social media, showing Indian players celebrating provocatively in front of their Pakistani counterparts. Some players reportedly continued making gestures as they moved towards the Pakistan team’s dressing room.
Coaching and support staff from both sides had to intervene to bring the situation under control. The traditional post-match handshake between the two teams also did not take place. The incident sparked criticism on social media, with cricket fans questioning the conduct of the young players and describing it as contrary to the spirit of sportsmanship.
Reacting to the controversy in a post on X, Ahmed Shehzad congratulated India on winning the tournament and praised Pakistan’s Under-19 team for its impressive performance throughout the competition.
However, he stressed that victories should be celebrated with joy and dignity rather than aggressive gestures or unnecessary hostility.
Shehzad said young players should understand that the spirit of cricket goes beyond winning or losing and includes showing respect for opponents. He also expressed concern that some negative practices of senior cricketers were being passed down to the younger generation, emphasising the need to promote respect, tolerance and sportsmanship in the game.
“Take pride in your success and compete with passion, but always show respect for the game and your opponents,” he advised.
India beat Pakistan in final-ball thriller
It is worth mentioning that India defeated Pakistan by one wicket in the Under-19 Asia Cup final, played in Al Amerat, Oman, on November 14.
Batting first, Pakistan posted an imposing total of 337 runs, with Usman Khan scoring an impressive 107. In reply, India chased down the 338-run target on the final delivery to secure the title in a thrilling encounter.
