Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif backed Haris Rauf’s provocative gesture during the Asia Cup Super Four match between India and Pakistan in Dubai. Rauf’s gesture was criticised by Indian fans on social media, who described it as his “frustration” after India defeated Pakistan by six wickets.
The two teams faced each other soon after the Pahalgam terror attack, which had heightened tensions following India’s military action in May.
‘Haris Rauf is absolutely right’
Khawaja Asif, known for his controversial remarks, took to X to defend Rauf’s actions. He wrote, “Haris Rauf is absolutely right. Cricket matches keep happening, but 6/0 will not be forgotten by India until Judgement Day, and the world will remember it too.”
The “6/0” reference was to Pakistan’s claim that its forces had shot down six Indian fighter jets, including a Rafale.
Gesture sparks political row
The high-voltage India vs Pakistan Super Fours clash in the Asia Cup has taken an ugly turn, with political outrage erupting in India over the controversial gestures made by some Pakistani cricketers during the game in Dubai.
Raut lashed out at the ICC chairman
During Pakistan’s innings, opener Sahibzada Farhan, after completing his half-century, celebrated by holding his bat like a gun, a move that has been widely criticised as being insensitive and provocative.
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut lashed out at the ICC chairman Jay Shah, accusing him of enabling the match and mocking him with a sharp statement on X.
“Sahibzada Farhan just proved on the field how Pakistani terrorists slaughtered 26 innocents in Pahalgam–gunning them down like it was nothing. Reached his fifty and gripped the bat like an AK-47, firing boundaries! This spit in the face of BCCI & Modi govt is peak humiliation. For enabling India’s shame, Jay Shah deserves the Bharat Ratna,” Raut said.
