NEW DELHI: The high-octane India vs Pakistan clash in the Asia Cup 2025 Super Four in Dubai on Sunday, did not just serve up a six-wicket win for India — it also delivered fresh controversy. Pakistan pacer Haris Rauf found himself in the middle of a storm after he taunted Indian fans with a provocative “6-0” gesture near the boundary ropes, a moment that has since gone viral on social media.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!The gesture, captured in multiple videos and photos, showed Rauf raising his hand to signal “6-0,” a reference to Pakistan’s unverified and politically charged claims of downing six Indian fighter jets during a four-day military scuffle following Operation Sindoor. During the match at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, the pacer even acted out the motion of a crashing plane, further fuelling tensions.WATCH: Haris Rauf taunts fans with 6-0 gestureThe incident unfolded while Rauf was fielding close to a packed Indian section of the crowd. Fans had been chanting “Kohli, Kohli” to rile him up, a reminder of Virat Kohli’s iconic straight six off his bowling in the T20 World Cup 2022. In response, the 31-year-old pacer gestured towards them with the controversial signal, triggering loud boos from Indian supporters and sparking outrage online.WACTH: Haris Rauf acting out the motion of a crashing planeThe cricket, however, was dominated by India. Chasing 172, Abhishek Sharma hammered a blistering 74 off just 39 balls, including six fours and five towering sixes. His 105-run opening stand with Shubman Gill (47) laid the perfect platform, as Tilak Varma (30*) and Hardik Pandya (7*) sealed the win in 18.5 overs.On-field tensions between Rauf and Indian players also flared. In the fifth over, after Gill cracked a crisp boundary, Rauf exchanged heated words with Abhishek Sharma, forcing umpire Gazi Sohel to step in. Though tempers cooled quickly, the episode added to the charged atmosphere.
