Team India registered a six-wicket victory over Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2025 Super Four clash in Dubai on September 21. While the win further boosted India’s unbeaten run, the match became overshadowed by aggressive gestures from Pakistani players Haris Rauf and Sahibzada Farhan.
Former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan has strongly reacted to the incident, accusing the duo of “poor behaviour” and warning that India will answer through its performance on the field.
What Sparked the Controversy?
- Sahibzada Farhan celebrated his half-century with a gun gesture, which Pathan called “insensitive” given the tense political climate between the two nations.
- Haris Rauf was also seen making a “6-0” gesture, symbolizing Pakistan’s past claim of downing Indian fighter jets.
- Indian players Abhishek Sharma and Shubman Gill later admitted that Pakistani players made inappropriate remarks on the field.
Irfan Pathan’s Response
In a video message on his YouTube channel, Irfan Pathan said:
“India wins, India progresses. That is the magic of Indian cricket. But yesterday we saw too much aggression. Abhishek Sharma even said they spoke things they shouldn’t have. Our reply is simple – you keep talking, we’ll keep winning.”
The behaviour of Pak players on the field was very poor. My msg is clear. Full video on my YouTube channel. pic.twitter.com/Dm9YmTXqRG
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) September 22, 2025
Pathan emphasized that India’s players prefer silence and professionalism but won’t hesitate to respond if provoked.
“Whether it’s Australia or Pakistan, if someone tries to mess with us, we will answer. Our answer will always come through our game and our wins.”
‘Behaviour Not in Spirit of Cricket’
Pathan also reminded fans that Indian players rarely comment on Pakistan’s losses in other matches, unlike their rivals.
“We don’t mock how Pakistan lost to Zimbabwe in the 2022 World Cup. Nobody tweeted, nobody cared. We simply focus on our own game. But if you bring this attitude to our face, then don’t expect silence.”
On Farhan and Rauf, he added:
“I thought Haris was a decent boy when I met him earlier, but yesterday’s actions were disappointing. Farhan’s gun celebration was uncalled for. Both of them showed poor sportsmanship. If you mess with India, we won’t let you go easily.”
The India-Pakistan rivalry has always been high-voltage, but this latest controversy adds another chapter to its long history. While India’s players refrained from shaking hands in the last encounter, this match showed that tensions are still running high.
Also see: Asia Cup 2025: Abhishek Sharma Opens Up on On-Field Spat After Match-Winning Knock Against Pakistan
Despite the aggression from Pakistan’s side, India once again had the last laugh with a comfortable victory, strengthening their claim as the top contenders for the Asia Cup 2025 trophy.
The clash between India and Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2025 Super Four was not just about runs and wickets, but also about pride and discipline. Irfan Pathan’s sharp words reflect India’s stance: the team believes in winning with performance, not gestures or words.
