{
  "id": 11811485,
  "title": "'Doing things for social media': Ex-Pak player slams Ayub for Sooryavanshi send-off",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/04/doing-things-for-social-media-ex-pak-player-slams-ayub-for",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-04T01:09:25.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Times of India",
    "slug": "times-of-india",
    "url": "https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/asian-games-2026-mens-t20/doing-things-for-social-media-former-pakistan-player-slams-saim-ayub-for-vaibhav-sooryavanshi-send-off/articleshow/134668647.cms"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In a close match at the Asian Games men’s cricket final, India triumphed over Pakistan by 19 runs. Pakistan, captained by Sahibzada Farhan, put up a strong fight, with Hasan Nawaz contributing 96 runs. Jasprit Bumrah and Shivam Dube played crucial roles as India held its nerve in the final overs to secure the gold medal and successfully defend their Asian Games title.\n\nHowever, controversy erupted when Pakistan all-rounder Saim Ayub dismissed 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi for 15 off nine balls. Ayub's celebration afterwards was deemed a 'baby cradle' gesture directed at the young Indian batter. Despite Sooryavanshi's lack of reaction, the incident drew criticism. Former Pakistan wicketkeeper-batter Kamran Akmal lambasted Ayub's move during a discussion on the ‘Game Plan’ YouTube show, stating that such actions have been prevalent for a long time and that the management should address the issue. Akmal emphasized that Sooryavanshi, like all players, was participating in international cricket and should focus on his performances rather than garnering attention on social media.",
  "summary": "India beat Pakistan by 19 runs in the Asian Games final, but controversy followed Saim Ayub’s ‘baby cradle’ send-off to 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. Former Pakistan player Kamran Akmal criticised the gesture, saying players should focus on performances rather than social media attention. India posted 211/6, while Hasan Nawaz’s 96 couldn’t prevent Pakistan’s defeat.",
  "key_points": [
    "Pakistan defeats India by 19 runs in Asian Games cricket final.",
    "Saim Ayub celebrates by cradling 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.",
    "Former Pakistan player criticizes Ayub's social media-focused gesture."
  ],
  "editors_take": "The criticism of Saim Ayub's celebration by Kamran Akmal suggests that some in cricket view excessive on-field gestures as a bid for social media attention rather than a genuine competitive expression.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}