Key Points
- Abrar, Hasaranga trade playful celebrations in Asia Cup clash
- Waqar Younis jokes about his missing finger during commentary
- Childhood accident couldn’t stop Waqar’s rise to bowling legend
- From Guptill’s toes to Milburn’s eye, 10 cricketers defy setbacks
ISLAMABAD: The Asia Cup saw more than just cricketing skills when spinners Abrar Ahmed (Pakistan) and Wanindu Hasaranga (Sri Lanka) turned the match into a laugh-filled showdown by playfully mimicking each other’s wicket celebrations.
It all began when Abrar dismissed Hasaranga in the 13th over. Instead of a standard celebration, he cheekily copied Hasaranga’s signature pose. Later, Hasaranga got his revenge when he took a catch, then two wickets, and celebrated exactly like Abrar. The camera loved it, fans laughed, and even the commentators couldn’t hold back their joy.
In the commentary box, former Pakistani pacer Waqar Younis added his own twist. Watching the playful exchange, he joked:
“If I had all 10 fingers, I’d join in with a celebration too!”
This comment brought attention back to a lesser-known story from Waqar’s youth.
As a teenager in Multan, Waqar had a terrible accident while jumping into a canal with his cousins. While trying to climb down through slippery iron bars, his little finger got caught and was ripped off. He also broke three ribs. At first, he didn’t even notice his missing finger because of the shock and pain. Despite this early setback, Waqar went on to become one of cricket’s fastest and fiercest bowlers, forming the legendary “Two Ws” duo with Wasim Akram.
Hasaranga and Abrar Ahmed having banter and showing sportsmanship after the match. Something the Indian cricket team can never learn!! pic.twitter.com/T7ouuMjURx
— Abdullah (@AbdullahSays99_) September 23, 2025
Cricketers who lost body parts but not their passion
Waqar Younis isn’t alone in overcoming physical challenges. Here’s a look at 10 cricketers, WE News English discovered from memory lane, who showed that missing parts don’t mean missing greatness:
Martin Guptill (New Zealand)
Nicknamed “Two Toes,” Guptill lost three toes in a forklift accident at age 13. Despite this, he became one of New Zealand’s top batters and a sharp fielder.
Azeem Hafeez (Pakistan)
Born without two fingers on his right hand, Hafeez still bowled left-arm pace for Pakistan in the ’80s and inspired a young Wasim Akram.
Waqar Younis (Pakistan)
Lost his little finger in a childhood accident, but went on to take over 700 wickets in international cricket.
Garry Sobers (West Indies)
One of the greatest all-rounders ever, Sobers was born with an extra finger on each hand. He later had them removed, but maybe the “extra luck” stayed!
Bert Ironmonger (Australia)
Lost the finger he needed most as a spinner, his left index. Still, he made his Test debut at age 46 and finished with an incredible bowling average.
Denis Compton (England)
After losing his kneecap due to a football injury, Compton kept playing cricket for England and even scored centuries, with the missing piece now displayed at Lord’s Museum.
Bhagwath Chandrasekhar (India)
Polio left his right arm thin and weak, but it gave his leg-spin unpredictable magic. He took 242 Test wickets, even surprising himself at times.
Leonard Hutton (England)
Lost two inches of his arm in a war training accident. It didn’t stop him from becoming one of England’s most reliable batsmen.
Fred Titmus (England)
Lost toes to a boat propeller during a swim in Barbados. Yet, he returned to Test cricket and laughed it off, saying, “I feel a lot lighter.”
Colin Milburn (England)
A tragic story, Milburn lost an eye in a car crash just as his career was taking off. He never fully returned to international cricket and passed away at 48. His legacy lives on in stories and smiles.
