Salman Butt's Sarcasm Highlights Iftikhar Ahmed's On-Field Drama
If you tuned into the National T20 Cup semifinal between Peshawar and Abbottabad, chances are you didn't miss the fiery celebration from Iftikhar Ahmed. When Ahmed managed to dismiss Abbottabad's captain Kamran Ghulam, the reaction was more than just animated — it was an outburst of pure energy rarely seen in this local tournament. He pumped his fists, let out a shout, and traded a few words with Ghulam as he walked off, all in front of a crowd that loves a good bit of drama.
But it wasn't just the fans who caught the moment. Former Pakistan captain Salman Butt, now sitting in the commentary box, didn't miss a beat. With Ghulam heading back to the pavilion after misjudging a delivery and offering a simple catch to long-on fielder Maaz Sadaqat, Butt quipped, "Has he picked up Viv Richards?" The jab wasn't subtle. By comparing Ghulam’s dismissal to that of the legendary Viv Richards, Butt took a playful swipe at Ahmed for celebrating as if he'd just clinched the wicket of an all-time great.
This is classic Butt — wry, sharp, and never too serious. The comment quickly circulated on cricket forums and social media, sparking laughs and debates about what counts as too much celebration in domestic cricket.
Peshawar Dominates Semifinal but Stumbles in the Final
Ahmed's fierce response came during a high-stakes game, with Peshawar posting a mammoth 243 for 3. Opener Sahibzada Farhan was the real star, smashing a century and setting the tone for a dominant performance. Abbottabad never really recovered; the team crumbled under the huge target, and Peshawar clinched victory by 56 runs to book their spot in the final.
But celebrations were short-lived. In the final, Peshawar crashed back down to earth, losing to Lahore by nine wickets. Ahmed top-scored for his side, but Lahore’s chase left little room for drama, showing the gap between semifinal fireworks and final pressure. Even though Ahmed tried to lift his team with his batting, the loss was one-sided, and those earlier over-the-top celebrations suddenly looked awkward in hindsight.
This National T20 Cup run hasn’t changed Ahmed’s situation with the national selectors, either. After being left out of Pakistan's T20 squad since the 2024 World Cup — thanks to a string of inconsistent games — there’s a lot more attention on every move he makes, good or bad. Exaggerated celebrations don’t always win back fans or decision-makers, especially when recent form is spotty.
But here's the thing: cricket in Pakistan is never short on drama, and with ex-captains like Salman Butt ready to add spice from the commentary box, there will always be something to talk about besides just the runs and wickets. For now, Iftikhar Ahmed’s lively presence keeps him in the spotlight, for better or worse, as he tries to reclaim a permanent spot in the country's top cricketing ranks.
