The National T20 Cup semifinal between Abbottabad and Peshawar turned into a spectacle of cricketing drama, with a blend of intense action and humorous commentary, highlighted by Iftikhar Ahmed’s exuberant celebration and Salman Butt’s witty retort.
Peshawar skipper Iftikhar Ahmed showcased his all-round prowess, delivering a stellar performance with the ball. He claimed two significant wickets, notably that of Abbottabad captain Kamran Ghulam, who was on the cusp of a promising partnership with Shahzaib Khan. Iftikhar’s decisive strike came from a full-length delivery, luring Ghulam into an ambitious shot that ended up as a straightforward catch for Maaz Sadaqat at long-on.
The moment of triumph saw Iftikhar erupt in celebration, unleashing a fierce roar that captured the intensity of the moment. It was this spirited reaction that caught the sharp eye of Salman Butt, who was on commentary duty. With impeccable timing, Butt humorously remarked, “Wow! Has he picked up Viv Richards?” This quip, suggesting Iftikhar’s celebration was perhaps more suited to dismissing a cricketing legend than a domestic match, quickly went viral.
The video clip of Butt’s comment, shared by Pakistan Cricket on social media, sparked a wave of laughter and memes across platforms, with fans lauding the former Pakistan captain’s sense of humor. Despite the light-hearted interlude, the match itself was dominated by Peshawar. They set a formidable target of 243 runs, largely thanks to a sensational 148-run innings by Sahibzada Farhan. In response, Abbottabad struggled, finishing at 187/8, with only Shahzaib Khan’s brisk fifty offering resistance.
While Peshawar secured a convincing victory, it was Salman Butt’s roast of Iftikhar Ahmed’s celebration that truly captured the fans’ imagination, making it the standout moment of the semifinal.