The high-octane India vs Pakistan clash in the Asia Cup 2025 Super Four on Sunday did more than deliver a six-wicket win for India — it sparked fresh controversy. Pakistan pacer Haris Rauf drew widespread criticism for taunting Indian fans with a provocative “6-0” gesture near the boundary ropes, a moment that has gone viral across social media.
The gesture appeared to reference Pakistan’s unverified claims of downing six Indian fighter jets during a four-day military skirmish following Operation Sindoor. While fielding close to a packed section of Indian supporters, Rauf even mimicked the motion of a crashing plane, intensifying tensions in the stadium and online outrage.
On-field provocations and crowd reaction
The incident occurred as Indian fans chanted “Kohli, Kohli,” recalling Virat Kohli’s iconic straight six against Rauf in the T20 World Cup 2022. The 31-year-old pacer responded with the controversial gesture, which triggered loud boos from spectators and criticism from cricket analysts.
On-field tensions flared further in the fifth over when Rauf exchanged heated words with Abhishek Sharma after Shubman Gill struck a boundary. Umpire Gazi Sohel had to intervene to prevent escalation. Although the confrontation was quickly defused, it added to the charged atmosphere surrounding the India-Pakistan rivalry.
India dominates the match
Despite Rauf’s antics, India dominated the match. Chasing 172, Abhishek Sharma played a masterclass, scoring 74 off 39 balls, including six fours and five towering sixes. Sharma’s opening partnership with Shubman Gill (47 off 28) produced a blistering 105-run stand, setting the platform for India’s successful chase.
Tilak Varma (30*) and Hardik Pandya (7*) guided India home, completing the chase in just 18.5 overs and sealing a second successive victory over Pakistan in the tournament. Pakistan had earlier seemed well-positioned after Sahibzada Farhan (58) and Saim Ayub (21) shared a 72-run partnership for the second wicket, but medium-pacer Shivam Dube broke the stand and slowed their momentum, restricting Pakistan to 171/6.
Public and media reaction
Rauf’s “6-0” gesture has sparked debate over sportsmanship and responsibility on the field. Social media users and cricket experts condemned the action as provocative and inappropriate, stressing that the focus should remain on the sport rather than political or militaristic narratives.
The incident has reignited discussions about maintaining decorum in high-profile India-Pakistan matches, where passions run high and on-field provocations can quickly escalate into controversy.
Conclusion
While India’s clinical performance reaffirmed their dominance in the Asia Cup, Rauf’s actions drew attention away from the cricket and cast a shadow over Pakistan’s conduct on the field. Experts have called for stricter adherence to sportsmanship and professional conduct to ensure that future matches remain focused on the game itself.