Pakistan pacer Haris Rauf found himself in the spotlight during the Asia Cup Super Fours match in Dubai on Sunday, not just for his bowling but for a controversial gesture aimed at Indian fans.
While fielding near the boundary rope in the second innings, Rauf responded to loud jeers from Indian supporters by lifting his fingers to signal “6-0.”
The action was interpreted as a taunt, referencing Pakistan’s unsubstantiated claims of shooting down six Indian fighter jets earlier this year during border tensions after Operation Sindoor. Videos of the moment quickly went viral, drawing sharp reactions from Indian fans online.
The crowd had been chanting “Virat Kohli” to provoke Rauf, a reminder of the 2022 T20 World Cup match at the MCG, where Kohli’s iconic strokes against Rauf sealed a famous win for India.
Rauf’s antics weren’t limited to the stands. He was seen engaging in a heated face-off with India opener Abhishek Sharma after Shubman Gill dispatched him for a boundary at the end of the fifth over. The situation escalated until umpire Gazi Sohel stepped in to cool tempers.
Also Read: Asia Cup 2025- Tensions flare as Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill trade words with Pakistan pacers in fiery clash
Controversy also surrounded Pakistan batter Sahibzada Farhan, who marked his half-century by raising his bat like a gun, sparking further criticism from Indian fans.
This incident came amid a wider backdrop of unease in the tournament. Earlier in the Asia Cup, Indian players chose not to shake hands with their Pakistani counterparts, a move that escalated friction between the two sides. Yesterday, too, the players refrained from any kind of courtesy.
India's stance has been linked to the strained relations between the two nations in the wake of the terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam, during which 26 tourists were killed on April 22 by Pakistan-sponsored terrorists in the name of religion.
On the field, Pakistan posted 171/5—their highest total batting first against India in T20Is. But the target was comfortably chased down by the Indian top order, with Abhishek Sharma (74) and Shubman Gill (47) putting together a decisive 105-run opening stand to set up a six-wicket victory.
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While fielding near the boundary rope in the second innings, Rauf responded to loud jeers from Indian supporters by lifting his fingers to signal “6-0.”
The action was interpreted as a taunt, referencing Pakistan’s unsubstantiated claims of shooting down six Indian fighter jets earlier this year during border tensions after Operation Sindoor. Videos of the moment quickly went viral, drawing sharp reactions from Indian fans online.
The crowd had been chanting “Virat Kohli” to provoke Rauf, a reminder of the 2022 T20 World Cup match at the MCG, where Kohli’s iconic strokes against Rauf sealed a famous win for India.
Rauf’s antics weren’t limited to the stands. He was seen engaging in a heated face-off with India opener Abhishek Sharma after Shubman Gill dispatched him for a boundary at the end of the fifth over. The situation escalated until umpire Gazi Sohel stepped in to cool tempers.
Also Read: Asia Cup 2025- Tensions flare as Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill trade words with Pakistan pacers in fiery clash
Controversy also surrounded Pakistan batter Sahibzada Farhan, who marked his half-century by raising his bat like a gun, sparking further criticism from Indian fans.
This incident came amid a wider backdrop of unease in the tournament. Earlier in the Asia Cup, Indian players chose not to shake hands with their Pakistani counterparts, a move that escalated friction between the two sides. Yesterday, too, the players refrained from any kind of courtesy.
India's stance has been linked to the strained relations between the two nations in the wake of the terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam, during which 26 tourists were killed on April 22 by Pakistan-sponsored terrorists in the name of religion.
On the field, Pakistan posted 171/5—their highest total batting first against India in T20Is. But the target was comfortably chased down by the Indian top order, with Abhishek Sharma (74) and Shubman Gill (47) putting together a decisive 105-run opening stand to set up a six-wicket victory.
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