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'Saim Ayub is not a kid' - Kamran Akmal criticises Pakistan star for Vaibhav Sooryavanshi send-off

During the Asian Games 2026 men's cricket final on Saturday, October 3, India defeated Pakistan by 19 runs after setting a target of 211 for 6 from their 20 overs, supported by half-centuries from Abhishek Sharma and Tilak Varma. In the third over of the match, Pakistan player Saim Ayub removed 15-year-old Indian batter Vaibhav Sooryavanshi for 15 runs following a top-edged reverse sweep caught by Usman Khan.

Following the dismissal, Ayub delivered a baby cradle send-off to the teenager, prompting widespread social media backlash and criticism from former Pakistan wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal on the Gameplan YouTube show. Akmal argued that such gestures undermine professional standards in international cricket, noting that Ayub should instead concentrate entirely on his performance.

Ayub finished the contest with bowling figures of one wicket for 47 runs across four overs, dropped two catches, and contributed 22 runs from 29 balls with the bat.

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