Fresh controversy has emerged around Pakistan’s 2025 Asia Cup campaign, with another player now caught in the spotlight. Just days after Haris Rauf drew criticism for making an offensive "6-0" gesture toward Indian fans during Sunday’s Super Four clash in Dubai, a new video has surfaced involving pace-bowling all-rounder Faheem Ashraf.
The clip, which has quickly gone viral on social media, shows Faheem fielding on the boundary and repeating the same "6-0" hand motion directed at Indian supporters. The incident has only intensified the debate over player conduct in the high-stakes India-Pakistan rivalry.
The video has led to more criticism of the Pakistani players for mixing political and military references with cricket matches. The same "6-0" hand gesture and fighter jet crash signals that Rauf had previously used had received criticism from media, which linked them to unverified claims that six Indian jets had been shot down during Operation Sindoor.
Discussions about sportsmanship in intense rivalries have been rekindled by the gestures.
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After taking six wickets against South Africa on Monday, Pakistan Women's Cricketer Nashra Sandhu also posted a picture six-finger celebration, although, it could be the six wickets she took that day but many felt it could have been avoided by Rauf's gesture.
A day later, the U-17 football squad from Pakistan was also ensnared in a similar situation. During the SAFF U-17 Championship in Colombo, striker Muhammad Abdullah's "sipping tea" celebration versus India was interpreted as a provocative reference to the 2019 Abhinandan incident.
Coming back to cricket, Pakistan held their composure and defeated Sri Lanka in the Asia Cup 2025 Super 4 match at Abu Dhabi's Sheikh Zayed Stadium. Chasing a modest 134, Pakistan had a few nervous moments, but Mohammad Nawaz and Hussain Talat got their team across the finish line with 5 wickets and 12 balls remaining, putting Sri Lanka on the brink of elimination from the tournament.
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