Former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan didn’t hold back when he called out Pakistan’s Haris Rauf and Sahibzada Farhan for their controversial gestures during the intense India vs Pakistan Super Fours clash at the Asia Cup in Dubai. Pathan said their actions just show their true colors and how they were raised.
India cruised to a six-wicket win, chasing down Pakistan’s 172-run total with ease. Abhishek Sharma smashed 74 runs, and Shubman Gill added 47 at the top of the order, setting the tone for the victory. But the post-match buzz quickly shifted to Pakistan’s provocative moves, which stole the spotlight from the win.
In Pakistan’s innings, opener Sahibzada Farhan celebrated his half-century with a dramatic gun-shot gesture after hitting a massive six. Many fans found it tone-deaf, especially coming right after the tragic terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, on April 22, where militants killed 26 tourists. The timing made the celebration hit a raw nerve.
Then, in India’s chase, fast bowler Haris Rauf fired back at taunting Indian fans near the boundary. As they chanted “Virat Kohli, Virat Kohli,” Rauf held up his fingers to signal “0-6.” It seemed like a jab at Pakistan’s unproven claims from May’s Operation Sindoor border clash, where they said they shot down six Indian fighter jets—claims India denied. Rauf’s gesture went viral on social media, drawing heavy criticism and trolls from Indian fans.
Pathan, who once met Rauf in Australia and thought he was a decent guy, ripped into both players on his YouTube channel. “Let’s talk about these celebrations,” he said. “Sahibzada Farhan, you know the tensions between our countries. Haris Rauf, I figured you were better than that. Those gestures on the field were totally unnecessary. It says a lot about their character and upbringing.”
He urged players to keep things on the cricket pitch. “Play the game, don’t drop to personal attacks— that’s just wrong. And don’t expect us to stay quiet about it. I’m not shocked, though. They’re capable of this stuff. What you saw on TV was bad enough, but if fans knew what happens off-camera, they’d be stunned.”
Even though Virat Kohli retired from T20s last year and skipped the match, his name fueled the chants, echoing the electric 2022 T20 World Cup thriller between India and Pakistan at Melbourne’s MCG. The controversy has fans debating sportsmanship in high-stakes India-Pakistan cricket rivalries.
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