Updated on: Sept 22, 2025 08:39 am IST
Haris Rauf’s antics drew widespread criticism, with fans calling the display “disgusting” and “incompetent” on social media.
Pakistan fast bowler Haris Rauf sparked a controversy on Sunday during the Asia Cup 2025 Super Four clash at the Dubai International Stadium against India, drawing the spotlight for his on-field antics. In response to the continued chants from the Indian spectators at the venue, Rauf provoked the crowd with ‘6-0’ and fighter jet gestures. The antics drew widespread criticism, with fans calling the display “disgusting” and “incompetent” on social media.
Pakistan’s Haris Rauf celebrates the wicket of India’s Sanju Samson during the Asia Cup cricket match between India and Pakistan at Dubai International Cricket Stadium(AP)
Despite being Pakistan’s best bowler in the night, picking up two wickets, including that of India captain Suryakumar Yadav for a duck, he faced the heat not only from India’s opening pair of Shubman Gill and Abhishek Sharma, who smashed him for 18 runs in 11 balls, but also from the Indian spectators.
The crowd’s persistent ‘Kohli, Kohli’ chants reminded Rauf of the 2022 T20 World Cup, when the former India captain had hammered him for back-to-back sixes in Melbourne, delivering one of the greatest T20 knocks of all time. Unfazed, the tall pacer brushed off the noise and responded provocatively, mimicking a fighter jet and repeatedly showing ‘6-0’—a propaganda gesture tied to the false claim that six Indian Air Force aircraft were shot down during Operation Sindoor in May. He had also been heard chanting ‘6-0’ during Pakistan’s training session at the ICC Academy in Dubai on Saturday.
Abhishek Sharma on verbal exchanges with Rauf
Abhishek and Gill’s fiery opening stand of 105 runs laid the solid foundation for India’s chase of 172 in Dubai. The two batters were seen in a heated exchange with Rauf. The incident happened on the final ball of the fifth over after Gill hit the bowler for a boundary through mid-wicket when Abhishek and Rauf had a go at each other. Umpire Gazi Sohel was forced to intervene.
Abhishek later opened up on the verbal battle in the post-match interview, after having collected his Player of the Match award. Today was pretty simple, the way they were coming out to us (Pakistani bowlers) without any reason, I did not like it at all. That is why I went after them. I wanted to deliver for the team.”
News / Cricket News / Haris Rauf instigates Indian fans with ‘6-0’ and ‘fighter jet’ gestures; gets bashed as ‘disgusting, incompetent’
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