The Asia Cup has once again become a hotbed for political theatrics, overshadowing the actual game of cricket. Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi has ignited a fresh wave of outrage by reportedly sharing a video featuring football star Cristiano Ronaldo making a fighter-jet gesture. This act is widely seen as a deliberate provocation, seemingly legitimizing behavior that has already drawn widespread condemnation.
This incident closely follows bowler Haris Rauf’s controversial ‘6-0’ gesture and a similar fighter-jet mimicry during a Super Four clash against India in Dubai. Rauf’s actions, reportedly directed at Indian fans chanting “Kohli, Kohli,” were met with strong criticism across social media, deemed unprofessional and classless for an international cricketer. Further exacerbating the situation, Sahibzada Farhan was also observed mimicking the firing of a gun with his bat, illustrating how quickly some Pakistani players are turning a sports competition into a platform for political jabs.
Instead of de-escalating tensions, Chairman Naqvi’s reported endorsement has only worsened the situation. For a board chairman to use a global icon’s image to support such behavior has shocked many fans, who expect sporting administrators to rise above petty provocations. It appears Pakistan’s cricket establishment, instead of addressing its team’s on-field challenges, is choosing to hide behind symbolic gestures that ultimately tarnish the spirit of the game.
Meanwhile, India has let their performance do the talking. A brilliant 75-run innings from Abhishek Sharma laid the foundation for a formidable total, while Kuldeep Yadav, supported by Varun Chakravarthy, impressively dismantled Bangladesh’s batting lineup. This commanding performance on Tuesday secured a 41-run victory for India, propelling them into the Asia Cup final. The result also eliminated Sri Lanka, leaving Pakistan and Bangladesh to compete in a virtual semifinal for the remaining final spot.
Unfortunately, Mohsin Naqvi’s recent actions have ensured that Pakistan cricket continues to grab headlines for all the wrong reasons.
An image shows Pakistan’s Haris Rauf celebrating a wicket, specifically that of India’s Sanju Samson, alongside his teammates.