The National T20 Cup semifinal between Abbottabad and Peshawar turned into a comedy show, thanks to Salman Butt’s hilarious commentary on Iftikhar Ahmed’s exuberant celebration. The match, held on Wednesday, saw Peshawar clinch a convincing victory, but it was Butt’s roast that stole the spotlight.
Iftikhar Ahmed, the Peshawar skipper and all-rounder, delivered a stellar bowling performance, claiming two crucial wickets. His most significant scalp was Abbottabad’s captain, Kamran Ghulam, who was looking to build a solid partnership with Shahzaib Khan. Iftikhar, bowling over the wicket, tempted Ghulam with a full-length delivery. The batter, attempting to clear the boundary, instead found Maaz Sadaqat at long-on, who completed an easy catch.
Iftikhar’s reaction to the dismissal was nothing short of theatrical. He erupted in joy, letting out a fierce roar and celebrating as if he had just dismissed one of cricket’s legends. This over-the-top celebration caught the attention of Salman Butt, who was on commentary duty.
With impeccable comedic timing, Butt quipped, “Wow! Has he picked up Viv Richards?” This witty remark, implying that Iftikhar’s celebration was a bit excessive for a domestic T20 match, instantly went viral. The clip shared by Pakistan Cricket on social media left fans in splits, with many appreciating the former Pakistan captain’s humor.
Despite the lighthearted moment, Peshawar dominated the game. Batting first, they posted a mammoth total of 243 runs, largely thanks to a breathtaking 148-run knock from Sahibzada Farhan. In response, Abbottabad struggled, managing only 187/8 in their 20 overs. Shahzaib Khan fought hard with a quickfire fifty, but the rest of the batting lineup crumbled under pressure.
While Peshawar’s win was convincing, it was Salman Butt’s roast of Iftikhar Ahmed’s celebration that became the real highlight of the match, showcasing the lighter side of cricket that fans love.