Asia Cup 2025 IND vs PAK: From Handshake Drama to Provocative Gestures – Key Heated Moments
The India vs Pakistan rivalry has always delivered high-voltage encounters, but the Asia Cup 2025 raised the intensity beyond cricket. From handshakes avoided to provocative celebrations, the last two matches between these arch-rivals have produced moments that dominated headlines. Here are the key flashpoints.
1. Toss Tension: The Handshake That Never Happened
One of the most talked-about flashpoints of the India vs Pakistan clashes was the missing handshake. Indian skipper Suryakumar Yadav avoided shaking hands with Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha during both toss and post-match formalities.
Pakistan’s board called the act “unsporting.”
2. Suryakumar’s Post-Match Dedication
India’s emphatic win in the opener was followed by another headline-grabbing moment. Suryakumar dedicated the victory to the Pahalgam terror attack victims.
3. Super 4 Clash: Haris Rauf’s Provocative Gestures
In the high-stakes Super 4 match, Haris Rauf stole attention for the wrong reasons. Tensions escalated when Pakistan pacer Haris Rauf gestured “6-0” toward Indian fans, allegedly referencing military claims. He even mimicked a falling-plane motion, sparking outrage. Meanwhile, Sahibzada Farhan celebrated his fifty with a controversial “gun-bat” pose.
4. Sahibzada Farhan’s Gun-Bat Celebration
Pakistan opener Sahibzada Farhan joined controversy with a “gun-bat” pose after reaching his fifty.
5. Fans, Chants & Social Media Storms
Indian fans chanting “Kohli, Kohli” at Rauf triggered his fiery reactions.
6. Referee Dispute and Administrative Drama
Beyond the field, Pakistan’s board lodged strong protests against referee Andy Pycroft, accusing him of bias in handling incidents.
At one point, the PCB even threatened to boycott matches unless Pycroft was removed.
The ACC intervention saved the tournament from collapse, but the controversy lingered.
Cricket or Controversy in the Final?
The last two India vs Pakistan encounters in the Asia Cup 2025 were dominated by political undertones, symbolic acts, and social media storms. As the arch-rivals gear up for the final, one question remains: will cricket take centre stage, or will fresh controversy overshadow the biggest clash of them all?
1. Toss Tension: The Handshake That Never Happened
One of the most talked-about flashpoints of the India vs Pakistan clashes was the missing handshake. Indian skipper Suryakumar Yadav avoided shaking hands with Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha during both toss and post-match formalities.
Pakistan’s board called the act “unsporting.”
- Confusion deepened when reports surfaced that referee Andy Pycroft may have asked captains to avoid handshakes due to security reasons.
- The incident sparked a heated debate over whether this was a genuine precaution or a symbolic protest.
2. Suryakumar’s Post-Match Dedication
India’s emphatic win in the opener was followed by another headline-grabbing moment. Suryakumar dedicated the victory to the Pahalgam terror attack victims.
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/videos/sports/cricket/suryakumar-yadav-on-no-handshake-with-pakistan-some-things-in-life-are-ahead-of-sportsmanship/videoshow/123887303.cms
- While emotional, the ICC flagged the comment as a possible breach of its rule against political statements.
- The PCB filed counter-protests, escalating tensions further.
3. Super 4 Clash: Haris Rauf’s Provocative Gestures
In the high-stakes Super 4 match, Haris Rauf stole attention for the wrong reasons. Tensions escalated when Pakistan pacer Haris Rauf gestured “6-0” toward Indian fans, allegedly referencing military claims. He even mimicked a falling-plane motion, sparking outrage. Meanwhile, Sahibzada Farhan celebrated his fifty with a controversial “gun-bat” pose.
- Both players face an ICC disciplinary hearing, putting Pakistan cricket under scrutiny.
- These actions shifted focus away from the game and into political territory.
4. Sahibzada Farhan’s Gun-Bat Celebration
Pakistan opener Sahibzada Farhan joined controversy with a “gun-bat” pose after reaching his fifty.
- The gesture was deemed politically sensitive.
- The ICC’s disciplinary committee scheduled hearings for both Rauf and Farhan, intensifying scrutiny on Pakistan’s behaviour.
5. Fans, Chants & Social Media Storms
Indian fans chanting “Kohli, Kohli” at Rauf triggered his fiery reactions.
- Clips of the gestures spread like wildfire on social media.
- Indian pacer Arshdeep Singh responded with gestures of his own, further fanning the online firestorm.
- These digital battles became as big as the cricketing action itself.
6. Referee Dispute and Administrative Drama
Beyond the field, Pakistan’s board lodged strong protests against referee Andy Pycroft, accusing him of bias in handling incidents.
At one point, the PCB even threatened to boycott matches unless Pycroft was removed.
The ACC intervention saved the tournament from collapse, but the controversy lingered.
Cricket or Controversy in the Final?
The last two India vs Pakistan encounters in the Asia Cup 2025 were dominated by political undertones, symbolic acts, and social media storms. As the arch-rivals gear up for the final, one question remains: will cricket take centre stage, or will fresh controversy overshadow the biggest clash of them all?
Next Story