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'Has He Picked Up Viv Richards?': Salman Butt Brutally Trolls Iftikhar Ahmed On Air

Soumyajit Dutta

Salman Butt and Iftikhar Ahmed [Source: @SalmanAsif2007/X]Salman Butt and Iftikhar Ahmed [Source: @SalmanAsif2007/X]

The National T20 Cup semi-final between Abbottabad and Peshawar on Wednesday was packed with action, but it was Peshawar skipper Iftikhar Ahmed’s dramatic celebration and Salman Butt’s razor-sharp commentary that stole the limelight. 

Iftikhar’s two key wickets, including the dismissal of Abbottabad captain Kamran Ghulam, proved pivotal, but his exuberant reaction to the latter’s wicket became the talk of the cricketing world.

Salman Bhatt Roasts Iftikhar's Over-The-Top Celebration!

Chasing Peshawar’s mammoth 243, anchored by Sahibzada Farhan’s blistering 148, Abbottabad crumbled under pressure despite Shahzaib Khan’s fiery 50. The match’s defining moment, however, came when Iftikhar lured Ghulam into a mistimed shot, triggering a celebration so intense it drew hilarious scrutiny from the commentary box.

After Ghulam skied Iftikhar’s full-length delivery to long-on, the Peshawar captain erupted into a roaring celebration, pumping his fists as if he’d dismissed a cricketing legend. 

On commentary, former Pakistan captain Salman Butt couldn’t resist quipping, “Look at Iftikhar! Wow! Has he picked up Viv Richards?”—a tongue-in-cheek nod to the over-the-top reaction. The clip, went viral, with fans flooding social media with memes praising Butt’s comedic timing.

Peshawars Dominates The Match

While Peshawar’s victory was emphatic, Butt’s jab became the semi-final’s standout moment not to forget Farhan's 148 off just 63 balls, featuring 15 fours and 8 sixes which powered Peshawar to an imposing total. 

Abbottabad’s reply fizzled at 187/8, with only Shahzaib (54 off 28) offering resistance. Iftikhar’s 2/25 and his theatrics, however, ensured the match was remembered less for the scorecard and more for its blend of cricket and banter.