England fast bowler Jofra Archer has once again captured the imagination of cricket fans worldwide with his distinctive ‘C’ celebration, prominently displayed after dismissing Pakistan opener Saim Ayub during their T20 World Cup 2026 Super 8 encounter at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium on Tuesday.
Archer produced the signature hand signal after removing Ayub for just 7 runs off 7 deliveries in the third over of Pakistan’s innings. The left-handed opener attempted to dispatch Archer for a big hit but instead found Jacob Bethell, who took a brilliant catch to send the Pakistani batter packing.
The ‘C’ celebration – formed by curling his thumb and index finger – was captured repeatedly by broadcast cameras, sparking immediate speculation across social media platforms about its meaning.
Fans and experts quickly connected the dots to a long-standing narrative involving Australian batting maestro Steve Smith.
Meaning behind the ‘C’ celebration
The gesture’s origins trace back to the 2019 Ashes series, when Archer and Steve Smith engaged in one of Test cricket’s most memorable confrontations. During the second Test at Lord’s, a ferocious Archer bouncer struck Smith on the neck, forcing the Australian to retire hurt after collapsing to the ground.
Upon his return to the crease, Smith was observed making a ‘C’ hand signal to the dressing room – widely interpreted as indicating he was ready for a concussion test or signifying “concussion” to team medical staff.
By replicating the gesture after dismissing batters in this World Cup, Archer appears to be engaging in playful on-field banter, subtly referencing that iconic Ashes moment each time he claims a wicket. The celebration first emerged during England’s group stage match against Sri Lanka after Archer dismissed Pathum Nissanka, and has now become his signature response to success.
Here’s the video:
Strong reactions from fans after Saim Ayub departs! 😳
Jofra Archer’s constant variations proved to be too much for the Pakistani opener.
ICC Men’s #T20WorldCup | SUPER 8, #ENGvPAK ➡️ LIVE NOW 👉 https://t.co/BmGBktbFCX pic.twitter.com/ygjzWfqIDw
— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) February 24, 2026
Adding to the theatre of the moment, broadcast cameras captured a die-hard Pakistan fan whose anguished reaction to Ayub’s dismissal quickly went viral. The supporter, sporting Pakistan’s flag painted on his face, was seen pulling his hair in anger and fighting back tears as his team’s hopes suffered an early setback.
The contrast between Archer’s theatrical celebration and the fan’s heartbreak perfectly encapsulated the emotional rollercoaster of tournament cricket, with social media users sharing the clip widely alongside memes and reactions.
Match summary: England reaches the semifinals
Archer’s celebration came during a performance that helped England restrict Pakistan to 164 for 9 in their 20 overs. He finished with figures of 2 for 32, also removing tailender Shaheen Afridi, while Liam Dawson was the pick of the bowlers with 3 for 24.
England chased down the target with five balls to spare, courtesy of captain Harry Brook’s magnificent unbeaten 100 off 51 balls – his maiden T20I century. The victory secured England’s spot in the semifinals with one match remaining against New Zealand.
For Pakistan, the defeat left their semifinal hopes hanging by a thread after their opening Super 8 match against New Zealand was washed out. Despite Sahibzada Farhan’s 63 off 45 balls, the Salman Ali Agha-led side failed to post a truly competitive total on a good batting surface.
