Pakistani fast bowler Haris Rauf ignited a firestorm of controversy during Sunday’s Asia Cup Super 4s match against India in Dubai. He was seen making provocative gestures, including mimicking fighter jet crashes and flashing ‘6-0’ signals towards Indian fans. These actions are widely believed to reference unsubstantiated claims by Pakistani media about downing Indian jets during ‘Operation Sindoor’.
This wasn’t an isolated incident; Rauf repeated the controversial gesture while celebrating the wicket of Indian batsman Sanju Samson. His actions quickly led to widespread condemnation and calls for a boycott from angry fans and commentators.
The incident has regrettably heightened tensions between the two cricketing nations, as it appears the Pakistani team is intertwining military conflicts with the spirit of the game. Rauf’s gestures directly alluded to unverified reports from Pakistani media, which claimed six Indian fighter jets were downed during ‘Operation Sindoor’.
Sanju Samson, who scored 13 runs off 17 balls, was eventually bowled by Rauf in the 17th over. Despite India winning the match, Rauf’s on-field conduct became a major talking point and attracted significant criticism across social media platforms.
In the aftermath of the match, Pakistan captain Salman Agha attempted to steer the conversation towards the team’s performance positives. “The batting was a lot better today, and that’s a positive,” he stated during the post-match press conference. He highlighted their strong start but conceded that managing the soft ball after ten overs presented a significant challenge.
Agha also openly acknowledged the team’s shortcomings, remarking, “To win, you have to excel in all three facets of the game. We didn’t field well or start well with the ball.” He concluded by emphasizing the team’s focus on their upcoming game against Sri Lanka, expressing hope for improved results.