 "Haris Rauf gesturing at Indian fans suggesting Pakistan downed Indian jets. Image: X")
India defeated Pakistan by six wickets in a high-voltage Asia Cup 2025 Super 4 clash on Sunday, thanks to a blistering innings from opener Abhishek Sharma. The Punjab batter smashed 74 off just 39 balls, including six boundaries and five sixes, and shared a 105-run opening stand with Shubman Gill, who contributed 47 off 28 balls.
India chased down 172 in 18.5 overs, with Tilak Varma (30) and Hardik Pandya (7) guiding the team to victory after a couple of quick wickets, including that of Suryakumar Yadav and Sanju Samson.
Haris Rauf’s video goes viral
The match, however, was not without controversy. Pakistan bowlers, led by Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf, tried to unsettle the Indian openers with words and gestures. While Abhishek and Gill gave it back to the Pakistan bowlers , tensions escalated among the fans as well. Indian fans reacted strongly when Rauf was near the boundary to field, chanting Virat Kohli’s name to tease him.
Kohli had hit Rauf for a six straight down the ground during the India vs Pakistan clash in the T20 World Cup 2022. Rauf then made a gesture indicating ‘6-0,’ seemingly suggesting that Pakistan had downed six Indian fighter jets in the May conflict. The video of the gesture quickly went viral, sparking outrage among fans on social media. Rauf even acted out to Indian fans, showing a plane going down.
Speaking after the match, Abhishek Sharma said he did not appreciate the provocations. “Today it was very simple. The way they were coming at us for no reason, I didn’t like it at all. That’s why I went after them with my batting. I wanted to deliver for my team,” he said.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsThe victory strengthened India’s position in the Super 4 stage, and Abhishek Sharma’s aggressive knock, alongside Gill’s support, showed India’s dominance in the encounter. Suryakumar Yadav also hit back at Pakistan after the match, saying that there is no rivalry with the neighbours, citing India’s favourable record against them.
“Sir, rivalry and standard are all the same. Now what is a rivalry? If two teams have played 15 matches and it’s 8-7, that’s a rivalry. Here it’s 13-1 (12-3) or something. There is no contest,” SKY told a Pakistani reporters at the post-match press conference.