Pakistan leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed, who is as well known for his dramatic on-field antics has again found himself in the spotlight this time for reasons outside cricket. In a gesture that caused both laughter and controversy, the 27-year-old leg-spinner lightheartedly invited former Indian opener Shikhar Dhawan to a boxing bout while appearing on a Pakistani YouTube show recently. The comment, made during a lighthearted bit, gained traction online in a jiffy, fanning new sparks in the perpetually ardent India-Pakistan cricketing rivalry.
“Kaunsa aisa player hai duniya ka jo aap chahate hai ki apke saamne ho aur aap boxing karey, jispe bada gussa aata ho?” (Whom do you want to face in a boxing match? Who makes you angry?), Abrar was asked
“Main chahta hu ki main boxing karu aur khada Shikhar Dhawan ho saamne (I want to box and want Shikhar Dhawan in front of me).”
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The viral video elicited mixed responses on social media while some fans dismissed it as harmless fun, others felt the remark was uncalled for, especially in the charged post-2025 Asia Cup final environment.
In the Asia Cup final, pursuing 147, India found themselves in early trouble at 20/3 but fought back through Tilak Varma’s unbeaten 69 and Shivam Dube’s fighting 33 before wrapping the game up with two balls to spare.
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Pakistan had previously been in command at 113/1 before they collapsed dramatically, being bowled out for 146. Kuldeep Yadav was the man who led India’s revival, taking 4/30 and mowing through the middle order. Abrar chipped in with 1/29, picking up Sanju Samson and celebrating the wicket with his catchphrase gesture one that he seemed to be directed in the general direction of the Indian dugout. The moment, however, went unnoticed, and after India won, players such as Arshdeep Singh, Jitesh Sharma, and Harshit Rana were mimicking Abrar’s celebration. Arshdeep even posted a video of the moment on social media with the caption: “No context.”
