Another drama unfolded between the Asian Giants and arch-rivals when India and Pakistan collided in a Super 4s clash on Sunday at the Asia Cup 2025 in Dubai.
India once again outclassed Pakistan as they registered a comfortable 6-wicket victory in their first game of the Super 4 stage. This came as the Men in Blue's second win against Pakistan in the 2025 Asia Cup.
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However, the post-match discussions were not just limited to cricket. A controversial gesture by the Pakistani pacer Haris Rauf sparked a debate and created outrage amongst the Indian fans.
How did Haris Rauf taunt Indian fans?
The high-voltage clash between India and Pakistan saw a lot of drama and tensions between the players and fans of both nations. The clash, which is already hyped, took an even bigger turn this time around after the handshake saga that transpired between the two teams when they met during the league stage.
When India met Pakistan in the Super 4s stage, the drama unfolded as Haris Rauf showed a tasteless gesture towards the Indian fans.
During the second innings, when Rauf was fielding near the boundary, the Indian fans started chanting 'Kohli Kohli' in unison. Virat and Rauf have a long history, with the former thoroughly dominating Rauf during India vs Pakistan matches.
The most memorable incident occurred during the T20 World Cup 2022 at the MCG, when the Indian batter scored an unbeaten 82 runs, taking two sixes off Rauf in the penultimate over.
INDIAN FANS CHEERING "KOHLI, KOHLI" TO RAUF...!!! 😄🔥 pic.twitter.com/TLSbo47zCw
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) September 21, 2025
In response, the Pakistani pacer was spotted making a 'fighter jet down' gesture - an action interpreted as a reference to the India-Pakistan war-like situation in May this year.
Rauf's gesture quickly went viral all over social media, as the Indian fans and media houses slammed the Pakistani cricketer for his 'tasteless' and 'insensitive' gesture.
The gesture related to geopolitical tensions came just a week after the handshake saga between the two nations, during which the Men In Green called for politics to be kept out of sport.
Team India refused to shake hands with the Pakistani players as a protest against the terror attack in India earlier this year. India's refusal left the Pakistan team and their board fuming as they threatened to pull out of the continental event.
India registers another thumping victory against Pakistan
The Men In Blue, despite not being at their best on Sunday, when they made several mistakes, including a lot of dropped catches, were still able to register a thumping victory over their arch-rivals, Pakistan.
India chased down a tricky target of 172 in 18.4 overs, as they registered a 6-wicket victory to open their account at the Super 4s stage. Abhishek Sharma played a magnificent innings of 74 from just 39 balls and was awarded the 'Player of the Match.'
Earlier, Pakistan scored 171 on the back of a half-century from their opener Sahibzada Farhan. Jasprit Bumrah had a rare off day as he went for 45 in his four overs. Shivam Dube was the pick of the bowlers, taking two crucial wickets in the middle phase.
India now has a 7-match unbeaten streak against Pakistan across formats in International cricket, which is a testimony to the side's dominance against their neighbors.