The India-Pakistan cricket rivalry is always full of emotion, but one moment from the Asian Games 2026 final quickly became a talking point beyond the result of the match.
Pakistan all-rounder Saim Ayub dismissed young Indian batter Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and appeared to make a “rock the baby” celebration. The gesture attracted criticism because Sooryavanshi is only 15 years old.
Now, former Pakistan cricketer Kamran Akmal has also criticised the incident. Akmal said Pakistan players need to be more careful about their behaviour on the field and suggested that management should take a stronger approach to such incidents.
What Happened Between Saim Ayub And Vaibhav Sooryavanshi?
The incident happened during the much-awaited India vs Pakistan final at the Asian Games in Nagoya.
India were batting when Saim Ayub dismissed Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. The young Indian batter scored 15 runs from nine balls before losing his wicket.
After the dismissal, Ayub appeared to perform a baby-cradle gesture.
The celebration quickly attracted attention on social media because of Sooryavanshi’s young age. Instead of reacting to the celebration, the teenager simply walked back towards the dugout.
The moment became one of the most discussed incidents from the final.
Kamran Akmal Calls Out The Behaviour
Former Pakistan wicketkeeper-batter Kamran Akmal did not support the gesture.
Speaking during a discussion on the incident, Akmal said such on-field antics have been happening among Pakistan players for a long time.
He argued that players should concentrate more on their cricket rather than actions designed to create attention on social media.
Akmal also pointed towards the responsibility of team management.
According to him, management needs to think seriously about such behaviour, particularly when Pakistan is playing international cricket.
His comments are notable because they came from a former Pakistan player rather than from an Indian critic.
‘Saim Ayub Is Not A Kid’
Akmal also made an important point about the age of the players involved.
While Sooryavanshi is only 15, Saim Ayub is an established international cricketer.
Akmal said that whether the opposition player is 13, 14 or 15, he is still playing international cricket. But he stressed that Ayub himself is not a child and should understand the responsibility that comes with playing at this level.
The comments suggest that experienced players are expected to show maturity even when emotions are running high.
Why The Celebration Created So Much Debate
India-Pakistan matches naturally attract huge attention. Every wicket, boundary and celebration is watched by millions of fans.
That means even a small gesture can quickly become a major social media discussion.
In this case, the controversy was not about whether Ayub was allowed to celebrate a wicket. Players celebrate wickets in different ways all the time.
The criticism was mainly about how the celebration looked when directed at a teenage opponent.
For many Indian fans, the gesture appeared unnecessary. Others argued that cricket is an intense competitive sport and celebrations are part of the game.
The debate therefore became bigger than the dismissal itself.
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Did Not React
One thing that stood out was Sooryavanshi’s response.
The young batter did not appear to get involved in the confrontation. He simply walked away after losing his wicket.
That calm reaction may have helped prevent the situation from becoming more heated.
At just 15, Sooryavanshi is already playing on a major international stage. The experience of facing Pakistan in an Asian Games final will be valuable for his development, regardless of the result.
India Beat Pakistan To Win Gold
While the send-off became a major talking point, India ultimately had the last word on the cricket field.
India defeated Pakistan by 19 runs in the Asian Games men’s cricket final.
The victory allowed India to retain the gold medal and added another major achievement to the country’s growing success in Asian Games cricket.
The final had everything fans expected from an India-Pakistan contest — pressure, emotion, big moments and huge attention.
However, India managed to keep its focus on the match and finished on top.
No Handshakes Once Again
Another talking point from the final was the absence of the customary handshakes between the two teams.
The India-Pakistan rivalry has been affected by strained relations between the two countries, and sporting interactions between the teams have increasingly attracted attention.
Despite the lack of handshakes, the match itself remained relatively controlled.
There was no major on-field confrontation, and both teams completed the contest without allowing the wider tensions to dominate the game.
Social Media Has Changed Cricket Celebrations
The incident also highlights how much social media has changed modern cricket.
A celebration that might once have lasted only a few seconds inside a stadium can now become a viral clip watched by millions of people.
Players know that almost every action can be recorded, shared and discussed.
This creates another responsibility for international cricketers. Competitive aggression is natural, but players also need to understand how their actions may be interpreted by fans.
Akmal’s criticism was largely about this balance between competition and responsibility.
India-Pakistan Rivalry Needs Great Cricket, Not Unnecessary Drama
The India-Pakistan rivalry is one of the biggest attractions in world cricket.
Fans want to see intense competition, brilliant batting, exciting bowling and close finishes. They also enjoy passionate celebrations.
But incidents involving young players can quickly shift attention away from the actual cricket.
In this case, the biggest positive for Indian fans was not the controversy. It was the result.
India won the Asian Games final by 19 runs, retained the gold medal and once again finished ahead of Pakistan in a major cricket contest.
What This Incident Means For Saim Ayub
Saim Ayub remains an important young cricketer for Pakistan, and one controversial celebration should not define his entire career.
However, the criticism from a former Pakistan star such as Kamran Akmal could serve as a reminder.
International cricket comes with enormous visibility. Players are not only judged by their runs and wickets but also by how they conduct themselves.
The best response from any cricketer is ultimately performance.
The Bigger Lesson From The Asian Games Final
The controversy surrounding Saim Ayub and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi may continue to generate debate online, but the Asian Games final offered a bigger lesson.
Rivalry can make cricket exciting, but respect and maturity can make it better.
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi will have many more India-Pakistan matches ahead of him if his career continues to develop as expected. At only 15, he has plenty of time to learn, improve and create his own moments on the international stage.
For now, India can celebrate another Asian Games cricket gold, while Pakistan will have to look at both its performance and the distractions that surrounded the final.
And as Kamran Akmal’s comments suggest, sometimes the smartest celebration is simply letting your cricket do the talking.