India won the high-intensity Super Four match against Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2025 in Dubai on Sunday by six wickets. However, the game also sparked a fresh controversy.
Pakistan bowler Haris Rauf has come under fire after he made a provocative plane crashing gesture near the boundary ropes, which quickly went viral on social media. Videos and photos showed Rauf raising his hand to signal “6-0,” referencing Pakistan’s unverified claims of downing six Indian fighter jets during the Operation Sindoor. During the match at Dubai International Cricket Stadium, he also mimicked a crashing plane, adding to the tensions between the teams.
Rauf was seen making gestures as a reference to reports about Pakistan downing India’s Rafale jets during Operation Sindoor, which sparked online criticism.
WATCH: Harris Rauf was instigating Indian fans during the India vs Pakistan match
He was gesturing with his hands that planes have crashed.
This disgusting and incompetent player was also chanting 6-0 during practice sessions. pic.twitter.com/zhwQGhYHEZ
— Sensei Kraken Zero (@YearOfTheKraken) September 21, 2025
Heated exchange with Abhishek Sharma
Tensions rose when Rauf reacted angrily after Shubman Gill hit a boundary in the Powerplay. He confronted Abhishek Sharma at the other end, exchanging harsh words. Although Abhishek responded in kind, he focused on his batting and helped India chase down the target efficiently.
Indian openers Shubman Gill and Abhishek Sharma built a solid 105-run partnership, keeping India ahead in the chase. Despite losing wickets in the middle overs, the team comfortably reached the target of 172, winning with six wickets and seven balls to spare. This victory marked India’s second win over Pakistan in the tournament so far.
All-rounder Shivam Dube shone with the ball, taking two wickets in the first innings. On the other hand, Jasprit Bumrah went wicketless, conceding 45 runs in four overs. India’s fielding was below par, dropping four catches and giving Pakistan opportunities to capitalize.
Another controversy in same match
Another Pakistani player, Sahibzada Farhan, was at the centre of controversy after scoring a half-century. Upon reaching his fifty, Farhan celebrated by raising his bat and mimicking the act of firing a gun, directed at the crowd or across the field. The celebration was caught on camera and quickly went viral, adding to Pakistan’s off-field issues in the match.
These incidents added to already high tensions in the tournament. At the toss, Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav refused to shake hands with his Pakistani counterpart Salman Ali Agha for the second time, reflecting the strained relations between the sides. In their earlier group-stage match, Indian players had also avoided handshakes, with Yadav dedicating that win to the Pahalgam victims and the armed forces.