The India-Pakistan match in the Asia Cup 2025 was truly remarkable. That Super Four stage encounter wasn’t just a game of bat and ball, but also a hotbed of heated debate and bizarre gestures on the field.
Two Pakistani players, Haris Rauf and Sahibzada Farhan, made gestures that sparked a social media uproar.
What’s the whole story?
Haris, standing on the boundary, made a plane crash gesture, reminiscent of Pakistan’s old war story.
Sahibzada Farhan, on reaching his half-century, brandished his bat like a gun. This angered Indian fans, and many called it insensitive.
This is especially true when it comes to the fact that 26 innocent people lost their lives in a terrorist attack in Pahalgam earlier this year. India won the match easily, but the controversy continues unabated.
Shaheen’s Open Support
Pakistan’s star fast bowler, Shaheen Afridi, has now broken his silence on the entire matter.
When asked about Harris and Sahibzada’s gestures at a press conference after the Super Four match against Sri Lanka, Shaheen unhesitatingly defended them.
He clearly stated, “Look, our job is to play cricket. Honestly, everyone has the right to express their opinion.”
Meaning, our job is to play cricket, and everyone has the right to express their opinion. Shaheen also added that every player has their own opinions and respect, but the team’s focus is on winning the Asia Cup.
His statement seems to suggest he is trying to downplay the controversy.
Pakistan’s Race to the Final
Pakistan is just one step away from the final of the Asia Cup. They have lost twice to India in the Super Four, but made a comeback by defeating Sri Lanka.
Shaheen took three wickets in that match, and the partnership between Hussain Talat and Mohammad Nawaz secured the victory.
India has already secured a place in the final, as they are always dominant in this tournament.
Shaheen challenged India, saying, “They haven’t reached the final yet. We’ll see when they reach the final. We’ve come here to win the final and win the Asia Cup.”
That is, we’ll see when they reach the final; we’ve come here to win the Asia Cup.
For now, if the two teams meet in the final on September 28th, it will be an even more exciting contest.
Pakistan’s fast bowlers bowled brilliantly against Sri Lanka, and Shaheen says the team will unite and give their best.
