A heated India-Pakistan Asia Cup Super Four clash on Sunday not only ended with India’s emphatic six-wicket victory but also ignited a major political storm.
The controversy arose after Pakistan’s Sahibzada Farhan and Haris Rauf made provocative gestures during the match, which many in India described as deeply insensitive and politically charged.
Farhan’s Bat-as-Gun Celebration
During Pakistan’s first innings, Sahibzada Farhan celebrated his half-century by pointing his bat like a gun. Viewers on social media quickly dubbed it an “AK-47 gesture”, sparking outrage. Critics argued the act was not just unnecessary showboating but also a disturbing reminder of terrorist violence.
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut slammed Farhan’s act, saying it echoed the Pahalgam terror attack where 26 civilians were killed earlier this year. “Reached his fifty and gripped the bat like an AK-47, firing boundaries! This is a spit in the face of India,” Raut said in a sharp post on X.
Haris Rauf’s ‘0-6’ Gesture
In the second innings, pacer Haris Rauf also courted controversy. In response to jeers from Indian fans, he raised his fingers to show ‘0-6’, which many on social media linked to Islamabad’s false claims of downing Indian fighter jets during the May military confrontation that followed Operation Sindoor.
The gesture further angered spectators, with many questioning whether the match should have been played at all given the political climate.
Political Reactions in India
The gestures reignited debate over India’s decision to face Pakistan in the tournament.
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Samajwadi Party’s Sharad Saran argued that Farhan’s actions mocked India and insulted the memory of the Pahalgam victims. He asked, “If Modi had wanted, would India play cricket with Pakistan?”
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BJP leader Amit Malviya hit back at the Opposition, accusing them of hypocrisy. “The same Opposition, which wanted India to boycott the match, sat glued to the screen and even cheered Sahibzada Farhan’s theatrics,” he said.
Background: Operation Sindoor and Pahalgam Attack
On April 22, 2025, terrorists linked to Pakistan killed 26 civilians in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir. In retaliation, India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7, targeting terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).
The Asia Cup match was the first high-profile sporting contest between the two countries since that escalation, making the gestures even more controversial.
India’s On-Field Victory
Despite the uproar, India dominated the contest. Openers Abhishek Sharma and Shubman Gill stitched together a 105-run partnership, laying the foundation for India’s chase of 172. With seven balls to spare, India secured a comfortable six-wicket win – their second victory in the T20 tournament.
