Video: Hasan Ali antics at Wagah border ceremony leaves India's BSF displeased

Mumbai: Pakistan cricketer Hasan Ali’s wicket-taking gesture at the Wagah border during the traditional flag-lowering ceremony on Saturday caused a lot of stir on social media.

Before leaving for their tour of England on Sunday, the Pakistan cricket team visited the Wagah Border to witness the flag lowering ceremony after their training camp ended in Lahore.

The lowering of the flags takes place at the ceremony every evening at the Wagah border, performed by the Border Security Force (BSF) on the Indian side and Pakistani Rangers on the other side. The practice is a traditional one and traces back to the year 1959.

However, Ali’s antics have not gone down well with the BSF. In a video that has gone viral, the medium-pacer is seen entering the flag-lowering ceremony from the Pakistani side, displaying his trademark celebration gesture towards the BSF and Indian audience.

The ceremony is to be conducted only by the BSF and the Rangers as part of the protocol. And now, the BSF is set to lodge a protest after ‘interference’ from a Pakistani civilian.

“The act has hit the sanctity of the parade. We will lodge a protest with Pakistan Rangers. Anyone can make any aggressive gesture in the viewers’ gallery on both sides but no public person can interfere in the parade. Before or after the parade, the people are free to do such things, but not in the middle of the parade,” BSF Inspector General (Punjab Frontier) Mukul Goel was quoted as saying by The Indian Express.

After his act, Hasan Ali posted a message on Twitter. "Always stay high like a moon mera Pakistan," the youngster wrote.