New Delhi: Pakistani cricketers Haris Rauf and Sahibzada Farhan’s gestures during the Asia Cup match against India in Dubai on Sunday have sparked controversy. One of the Pak players made references to the four-day military clash during Operation Sindoor, while another pointed his bat like a gun called‘AK-47’. Two controversial gestures by Pakistani cricketers have stirred a fresh political debate over whether India should have boycotted Pakistan in the Asia Cup. Haris Rauf’s “0-6” Gesture During India’s run chase in the second innings of the match which India eventually won; Pakistan pacer Haris Rauf reacted to the Indian crowd by flashing his fingers in a “0-6” gesture. On social media, many interpreted it as a reference to Islamabad’s unproven claims of shooting down six Indian fighter jets during the post-Operation Sindoor conflict earlier this year. Sahibzada Farhan's ‘AK-47’ Gesture Earlier in the game, opener Sahibzada Farhan raised eyebrows with his celebration after scoring a half-century. He pointed his bat like a gun; a move that many viewers slammed as needless theatrics. Some even accused him of mimicking an AK-47, calling the act distasteful and labeling it a reflection of Pakistan’s poor sportsmanship. Both incidents triggered sharp criticism online, with fans and commentators arguing that such behavior fuels hostility and undermines the spirit of the sport. Sanjay Raut calls Out Pak Batter's Gesture Shiv Sena UBT leader Sanjay Raut has launched a fresh attack against PM Modi, Jay Shah and the BCCI after the questionable gestures made by the rival players. Raut through a post on X raised his objection to Pakistani batter Sahibzada Farhan's AK_47 gesture. 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.… pic.twitter.com/ojOxocKJfU — Sanjay Raut (@rautsanjay61) September 21, 2025 "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!" Raut said on X. This spit in the face of BCCI & Modi govt is peak humiliation. For enabling India’s shame, Jay Shah deserves the Bharat Ratna," he further added.
