The India-Pakistan Asian Games 2026 men's cricket final produced plenty of drama beyond the scorecard. One of the biggest talking points came early in India's innings, when Pakistan all-rounder Saim Ayub dismissed 15-year-old opener Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and followed it with a baby-cradle celebration.
The gesture quickly became a talking point, and former Pakistan wicketkeeper-batter Kamran Akmal subsequently criticised Ayub's approach, arguing that players should concentrate on performance rather than actions aimed at social-media attention.
What Happened Between Saim Ayub and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi?
Sooryavanshi was dismissed in the third over after scoring 15 runs from nine balls. According to the match scorecard, he was caught by Usman Khan off Saim Ayub's bowling.
After the wicket, Ayub performed a baby-cradle celebration. The gesture was widely interpreted as a reference to Sooryavanshi's young age and became one of the most discussed moments of the final.
Kamran Akmal Criticises the Celebration
Kamran Akmal addressed the incident on the 'Game Plan' discussion show. He said the players should focus on their performances and questioned the value of actions done for social-media attention.
Akmal also stressed that Sooryavanshi was playing international cricket and that Ayub should treat him as a fellow international cricketer rather than focus on his age.
Sooryavanshi's Early Impact Before the Dismissal
Although his innings lasted only nine balls, Sooryavanshi showed his intent immediately. He struck two sixes in the second over before Ayub produced the breakthrough.
His dismissal did not stop India's momentum. Abhishek Sharma attacked Pakistan's bowling and scored 61 from 28 balls, while Tilak Varma finished unbeaten on 51 from 22 balls.
India Went on to Win the Asian Games Gold
India eventually posted 211/6 in 20 overs. Pakistan fought back through Hasan Nawaz's 96-run innings, but India held their nerve and restricted Pakistan to 192/6.
India won the final by 19 runs and retained the men's cricket gold medal. The result made the send-off incident a secondary storyline, but the celebration continued to generate discussion after the match.
Why the Incident Is Being Discussed
The controversy has attracted attention because of the age difference between the two players, the India-Pakistan rivalry and the timing of the celebration in a gold-medal final. Akmal's criticism has added another layer to the debate, particularly because it came from a former Pakistan international.