Saim Ayub's baby cradle celebration sparks viral moment in India-Pakistan Asian Games final

Pakistan off-spinner Saim Ayub dismissed India's 15-year-old opener Vaibhav Sooryavanshi for 15 runs in the Asian Games 2026 cricket gold-medal match and celebrated with a baby cradle gesture. India's Abhishek Sharma responded by hitting a six and two fours off the remaining deliveries in the same over, turning the moment in India's favor.

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India vs Pakistan men's cricket gold-medal match at Asian Games 2026
Saim Ayub dismissed Vaibhav Sooryavanshi with a caught-behind wicket
Ayub performed a baby cradle celebration after the dismissal
Abhishek Sharma hit a six and two fours in the same over
India scored 211/6 in their innings

Pakistan off-spinner Saim Ayub dismissed India's 15-year-old opener Vaibhav Sooryavanshi early in the men's cricket gold-medal match at the 2026 Asian Games in Nisshin, Japan on October 3, 2026. Sooryavanshi, who had scored 15 runs off nine balls including two sixes, attempted a reverse sweep to Ayub's delivery but edged the ball to wicketkeeper Usman Khan after it struck his gloves.

Following the dismissal, Ayub celebrated by mimicking a rocking baby gesture, joining his hands and shaking them side by side in apparent reference to Sooryavanshi's age. The moment immediately drew attention from television commentators and spread across social media platforms, becoming a focal point in the already high-pressure India-Pakistan final.

The celebration proved costly for Pakistan. At the non-striker's end, Abhishek Sharma took exception to the gesture. After a single from Sanju Samson and a dot ball from Ayub, Sharma responded with aggressive batting, hitting a six over wide long-on followed by two boundaries off consecutive deliveries in the same over. This sequence brought India to 43/1, shifting momentum decisively toward the batting side.

Social media users widely commented on the exchange, with many framing Sharma's aggressive response as a direct answer to Ayub's celebration. India ultimately scored 211/6 in their innings. Ayub conceded 47 runs across his four overs. The incident occurred during the first men's cricket meeting between India and Pakistan at the Asian Games, with India defending their 2022 title and Pakistan seeking their first gold medal in the sport.

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#Saim Ayub #cricket #final #Nisshin #Abhishek Sharma #celebration #Vaibhav Sooryavanshi #Japan #Pakistan #gold medal

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In a high-stakes India-Pakistan cricket final at the 2026 Asian Games in Japan on October 3, a post-dismissal celebration sparked visible on-field tension and redirected game momentum. India's aggressive response produced 15 runs in one over against Pakistan's bowler, ultimately contributing to India's 211/6 innings total and shifting advantage toward the batting side in a contest where India defends their 2022 gold medal and Pakistan seeks their first Asian Games cricket gold.

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