‘I do things for social media’: Former Pakistan player slams Saim Ayub for sending off Vaibhav Sooryavanshi

Asian Games Gold Match India Vs. Pakistan (Screengrabs) India beat Pakistan by 19 runs in the Asian Games men’s cricket final on Saturday, but the match was much closer than the final score suggests. Pakistan led by Sahibzada Farhan pressed India hard, Hasan Nawaz scoring 96.India eventually held their nerve in the final through Jasprit Bumrah and Shivam Dube to retain the gold medal.The match also sparked controversy when Pakistan all-rounder Saim Ayub dismissed 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi for 15 off nine balls.After taking the wicket, Ayub appeared to make a ‘cradle the baby’ gesture, which was seen as a send-off aimed at the young Indian batsman. Sooryavanshi did not react and simply returned to the dugout.

Kamran Akmal criticizes Saim Ayub

Former Pakistan wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal criticized Ayub’s celebration during a discussion on the YouTube show “Game Plan”.The moderator questioned the gesture and said: “Did you see the action? What a shame? You are playing such good cricket. You are giving India a contest after so long. These things don’t look good.”Akmal agreed with the criticism and said, “These things have been happening for a long time. Our performance has not been great but we are doing things for social media. The management should think about it. It is international cricket. No matter if he is 13, 14 or 15, he is playing international cricket. Saim Ayub is not a child. He should focus on his performances.”

Sooryavanshi started quickly

Sooryavanshi started aggressively and hit Saad Masood for two sixes in the second over. However, his attempted reverse sweep against Ayub ended his innings.India posted 211/6 with Abhishek Sharma scoring 61, Tilak Varma unbeaten 51 and Shivam Dube contributing 27. Pakistan fought back through Hasan Nawaz and Ayub but India pulled away in the last two overs.Dube played a key role as India secured a 19-run victory and successfully defended their Asian Games title.