Ayub’s gesture to Sooryavanshi draws criticism

Saim Ayub made a baby-cradle gesture after dismissing 15-year-old Indian batter Vaibhav Sooryavanshi in the Asian Games men’s cricket final on October 3, drawing criticism from former Pakistan wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal and a wave of negative reactions on social media. The incident came in the third over of India’s innings at Kōrogi Sports Park in Nisshin, Japan. Sooryavanshi had scored 15 before attempting a reverse sweep off Ayub and being caught by wicketkeeper Usman Khan. Accounts differ on how the ball reached the wicketkeeper: some describe a deflection off Sooryavanshi’s gloves, while another calls it a top edge. The reports agree that Ayub made the gesture as the teenager left the field. Sooryavanshi did not respond, according to match accounts. Akmal criticised Ayub’s conduct on the Gameplan YouTube show, saying the player should focus on his performances and that such gestures were inappropriate in international cricket. He also said Pakistan cricket had, in his view, too often focused on social-media attention despite poor results. Akmal’s comments were reported after the final; they represent his assessment of Ayub’s behaviour and the team’s approach.