The India vs Pakistan clash in the Asia Cup 2025 Super 4 was already intense, but things heated up even more after an exchange of fiery celebrations between players.
Indian pacer Arshdeep Singh, who has been fighting for a regular place in the playing XI, made headlines with a bold gesture after the match against Pakistan. Fans believe it was a direct response to Pakistan fast bowler Haris Rauf, who earlier mimicked a fighter jet going down—a celebration aimed at Indian players and supporters.
The drama didn’t stop there. Pakistan batter Sahibzada Farhan had earlier pointed his bat like a gun after scoring a half-century, adding fuel to the fire. Clips of both gestures quickly went viral on social media.
It all started when Haris Rauf was taunted by Indian fans at the Dubai stadium with chants of “Kohli, Kohli”—a reminder of the 2022 T20 World Cup when Virat Kohli smashed him for unforgettable sixes. In response, Haris first brushed his ear, signaling he didn’t care, but later made the fighter-jet gesture. He even repeated it after dismissing Sanju Samson during Pakistan unsuccessful defence of 171 runs.
Former India cricketers and fans were unimpressed. Irfan Pathan strongly criticized the gestures, saying:
“The celebrations were needless. Sahibzada Farhan knows the tensions between the two sides. And Haris Rauf—I thought he was a decent guy when I met him in Australia. But the way he acted yesterday, it tells you about their nature and upbringing.”
The high-voltage on-field drama came at a sensitive time, as the match was played against the backdrop of rising tensions between India and Pakistan. Just days earlier, a terror attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir, claimed several lives. In response, India launched Operation Sindoor, targeting terror camps across the border—making the clash even more politically and emotionally charged.
