Saim Ayub dismissed 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi early in India's innings during the Asian Games 2026 final. Right after the wicket, Ayub celebrated with a baby-cradle gesture. The celebration did not sit well with former Pakistan opener Ahmed Shahzad.
Shahzad criticised Ayub for the gesture, questioning why such a celebration was needed in a high-pressure contest like the Asian Games final. The story has drawn attention because Sooryavanshi is only 15 years old, and the gesture appeared to mock his age.
Ahmed Shahzad Slams Saim Ayub Over Baby-Cradle Celebration
Shahzad did not hold back. Speaking on his YouTube channel, he directly addressed Ayub and asked why he chose to celebrate that way instead of focusing on the team's performance.
Shahzad argued that Pakistan's recent performances against India should have been the talking point, not a gesture aimed at a teenager. He pointed out that such celebrations send the wrong message about how Pakistan's players are seen on the world stage.
"You're doing these gestures... the world is seeing you like kids." — Ahmed Shahzad, on his YouTube channel
His comment carried a clear message: instead of celebrating in a way that invites criticism, Ayub and his teammates should let their cricket do the talking. Shahzad's frustration was not just about one gesture — it was about what that gesture says about the team's mindset in a big final.
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Gets Backing From Pakistan
The headline also notes that Sooryavanshi received backing from Pakistan. This is significant. A 15-year-old playing in an Asian Games final against Pakistan is already under enormous pressure. When a senior Pakistan player celebrates his dismissal with a baby-cradle gesture, it can feel like a personal attack on a young cricketer.
The fact that voices from Pakistan itself came out in support of Sooryavanshi shows that not everyone in the country approved of Ayub's celebration. It also shows that cricket fans and former players can separate competition from respect for a young player's journey.
- Sooryavanshi was dismissed early in India's innings by Saim Ayub
- Ayub celebrated with a baby-cradle gesture right after the wicket
- Ahmed Shahzad criticised the gesture on his YouTube channel
- Shahzad said Pakistan's recent performances against India should have been the focus instead
- Sooryavanshi, 15, received backing from Pakistan over the incident
Our Take: Respect Matters More Than Celebration
In our view, Ahmed Shahzad is right to call this out. Cricket is a competitive sport, and emotions run high in a final. But there is a line between celebrating a wicket and mocking a 15-year-old who is still learning the game at the highest level.
To put it plainly, Saim Ayub is a talented cricketer. He does not need a baby-cradle gesture to make a point. Taking a big wicket in a final is enough. The celebration only shifted attention away from his bowling and onto a controversy that has now gone viral.
What makes this story bigger is that the criticism came from within Pakistan. Shahzad is not an outsider looking to attack Ayub. He is a former Pakistan opener who wants the team to be respected. When he says the world is seeing Pakistan's players "like kids," he is warning that such gestures damage the team's image more than any opponent ever could.
For readers, the takeaway is simple. Young players like Vaibhav Sooryavanshi deserve respect, no matter which team they play for. And senior players like Saim Ayub have a responsibility to set the right example. A wicket is a moment of skill. A gesture like this turns it into something else entirely.
Pakistan backing Sooryavanshi also sends a strong message. Cricket rivalries are fierce, but respect for a young talent should always come first. That is the spirit the game should protect.
