After Hong Kong Sixes glory, Muhammad Shahzad trolls India with Pandya-style celebration

The Hong Kong Sixes 2025 concluded with high-voltage action both on and off the field, as Pakistan clinched the title by defeating Kuwait by 43 runs in the final. However, the fun soon turned to drama as Pakistan all-rounder Muhammad Shahzad had taken an alleged dig at India’s Dinesh Karthik by duplicating Hardik Pandya's Khaby Lame-style celebration. 

Shahzad posted a selfie of him replicating Pandya's iconic gesture signifying a relaxed attitude towards life captioning it: "Fun end to the Hong Kong Sixes. Business as usual #WeHaveARealTrophy." It went viral as fans pointed out that it appeared a direct response to Dinesh Karthik's own previous tweet. On the opening day of the tournament, the India Sixes captain quoted, "Fun start to Hong Kong Sixes. Winning against Pak." This interaction reignited an age-old rivalry, giving fans a topic of debate following the final whistle.

Pakistan's victory stemmed from a strong all-round effort. The star of the show was Abbas Afridi with a sensational 52 off 11 deliveries, lifting Pakistan to a strong total of 135/3. For Pakistan's bowling, Maaz Sadaqat led the bowling attack with three wickets for 29 runs in two overs, sealing an emphatic victory for the men in green. The post from Shahzad added some spicy context to the Pakistan victory, which spared more friendly back-and-forth between the two rivals.

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Online post reignite Indo-Pak cricket rivalry

While some fans interpreted Shahzad's post as jests, it seemed to also serve as a barometer of the tensions within Indian and Pakistani cricket. The rivalry escalated earlier during the 2025 Aisa Cup in Dubai when various accompanying controversies peaked with a number of Pakistan players celebrating provocatively, a guest appearance from Quinton De Kock and India refusing to receive the trophy from ACC and PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi.

Shahzad's tweet now adds another element to an ongoing volcano of a rivalry when he mimicked Pandya's celebration, which was interpreted as their sign that Pakistan had the last word in Hong Kong. India A and Pakistan A are set to meet in the upcoming Rising Stars Asia Cup 2025, so expect more animosities and competitive banter ahead of the game. Every sport is about more than just the game; it is about pride, passion, and cricketing dominance for each country.