Category: Sports

Pakistani fast bowler Haris Rauf grabbed headlines not only for his fiery bowling but also for his cheeky gestures against India during the Asia Cup match played between the two arch-rivals on Sunday.

 However, it was his match-winning impact against Bangladesh that secured Pakistan’s place in a historic Asia Cup final against India, fueling fans’ calls for “revenge.”

Pakistan defeated Bangladesh by 11 runs in a thrilling Super Four clash on Thursday, booking a spot in the final on September 28. Remarkably, this will be the first time in the tournament’s 41-year history that Pakistan and India meet in an Asia Cup title decider.

The victory quickly shifted attention to the upcoming blockbuster final, with fans eager to see Pakistan avenge their Group-stage and Super Four defeats to India.

A viral video showed Rauf, who picked up a crucial wicket against Bangladesh, interacting with supporters. In the clip, fans passionately urged the team to not only win the trophy but also settle scores with India.

“This is from all of us,” one impassioned fan told the pacer. “Please, you have to win this time. Do not spare them,” they added, openly demanding payback.

Rauf, meanwhile, found himself at the center of controversy during the earlier Super Four clash against India. His wicket celebrations, running with arms outstretched as if a plane were falling, and a “6-0” hand gesture directed at Indian fans, drew international attention. According to The Times of India and other outlets, the gestures were linked to military references, sparking criticism and further stoking tensions ahead of the final showdown.

Pakistan, a two-time Asia Cup champion, will face eight-time winner India in what promises to be a high-stakes, emotionally charged final on September 28.

The Athletics Federation of Pakistan (AFP) has sought a detailed explanation from coach Salman Iqbal Butt following Olympian Arshad Nadeem’s disappointing performance at the recent World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, where he finished 10th in the javelin throw final.

According to reports, the federation issued a show cause notice to Salman Iqbal Butt, requiring him to submit a written report by October 5. The AFP instructed the coach to clarify 10 distinct matters within his report, directly addressing the fallout from the World Championship. 

Arshad Nadeem, the reigning Olympic Champion with a record-breaking throw of 92.97 meters in Paris 2024, struggled in the final with a best throw of 82.75 meters, resulting in his elimination after the fourth round.

The coach must detail Nadeem’s training from September 2024 to August 2025, including which expert coaches assisted in the training program. The AFP also requested an outline of the strategy for Nadeem’s international event participation during that year.

Key points demanding clarification include the reasons for Nadeem’s non-participation in any Diamond League edition and a detailed account of all contacts with foreign coaches and trainers over the year. The federation also wants specifics on Nadeem’s high-performance training over the 12-month period.

The coach must provide details of any communication with the AFP or any other national institution during the specified year. The report also requires comprehensive information on Nadeem’s health and fitness, his medical issues, treatment, and rehabilitation program. Nadeem reportedly struggled with a calf injury leading up to the competition.

The AFP instructed Butt to include details of any significant actions taken. Finally, the federation demanded a future strategy, including suggestions and a plan for Nadeem to move forward and return to the path of success.

The Athletics Federation of Pakistan has informed the Pakistan Sports Board about asking for the report. News reports confirm that AFP took notice of the “poor performance” and directed the coach to submit the detailed report by October 5, asking for “explanations on ten key points.”

Pakistan on Thursday sealed their place in the final of the Asia Cup with an 11-run victory over Bangladesh at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

Chasing 136, Bangladesh were restricted to 124 runs. Shamim Hossain top-scored with 30, while Saif Hassan (18), Nurul Hasan (16) and Mehidy Hasan (11) were the only other batters to reach double figures.

Shaheen Shah Afridi and Haris Rauf shone with the ball, taking three wickets each, while Saim Ayub claimed two and Mohammad Nawaz added one.

Earlier, Pakistan, invited to bat first, managed 135 for 8 in their 20 overs. Mohammad Haris led the score with 31, supported by Nawaz (25) and captain Salman Agha (19). Faheem Ashraf remained unbeaten on 14 alongside Rauf (3*).

Saim Ayub, however, registered his ninth career duck in 45 T20 Internationals, surpassing Shahid Afridi to become the second Pakistani with the most ducks in T20Is.

For Bangladesh, Taskin Ahmed bagged three wickets, while Rishad Hossain and Mehidy Hasan picked up two each. Mustafizur Rahman took one wicket.

With this win, Pakistan have set up a high-voltage final against India on Sunday, September 28, which will be the first in an Asia Cup in 41 years.

Veteran Indian fast bowler Ishant Sharma fondly recalled his tour of Pakistan, offering high praise for the country’s hospitality and its people on a recent Indian YouTube podcast.

Sharma emphasized his positive experience, saying, “We even went to Pakistan to play. They are not bad; in fact, they are very good people. They offer a good welcome and serve good food. We really enjoyed being with them.”

The fast bowler noted that the current animosity between the nations developed later. “This atmosphere (tension) between Pakistan and India developed now; initially, we used to play series together,” he stated.

Addressing the pressure of playing an Pakistan-India match, Sharma acknowledged it existed but remarked on the intensity of past contests. “The pressure in a match against Pakistan is quite high,” he admitted.

However, he added, “I think the pressure of the earlier Pakistan-India matches was much more because the Indian team played against a Pakistani team that included players like Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, Shoaib Akhtar, Shahid Afridi, Saqlain Mushtaq, and Inzamam-ul-Haq; they were all great players.”

Ishant Sharma was part of the Indian squad when Pakistan hosted the Asia Cup in 2008.

Off-field tensions between Pakistan and India have escalated, moving from match-day snubs to a social media post by Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief and Asian Cricket Council (ACC) President Mohsin Naqvi.

Naqvi sparked debate online after appearing to back pacer Haris Rauf’s viral gesture during the recent Super Fours clash at the Asia Cup.  While fielding near the boundary, Rauf had on Sept 21 responded to jeering Indian fans by mimicking a fighter jet crashing down.

The gesture that was aimed at mocking India’s loss of jets during May’s military clashes against Pakistan, quickly drew attention and sparked outcry across the border.

Days later, Naqvi posted to X a video of football legend Cristiano Ronaldo making a similar gesture, which fans saw as a witty reference.

pic.twitter.com/1zbuJvz7m0

— Mohsin Naqvi (@MohsinnaqviC42) September 24, 2025

The video, posted without any caption, instantly ignited social media as Pakistani fans praised Naqvi for engaging boldly. 

“PCB chairman on fire ,” commented one while another wrote, “Our chairman cooked so-called Indian journalists .” Some even joked that Naqvi’s move earned him forgiveness for past decisions, with one user writing, “Mohsin Naqvi ke saaray aglay pichlay gunaah maaf [All of Mohsin Naqvi’s past sins are forgiven].”

Fans also loved the Ronaldo reference, with one posting, “Ronaldo aur kitna dil jeeto gy .” Others added playful suggestions, linking the gesture to Pakistan’s proud history of military victories, with one remarking, “I wish following 7 seen on his shirt, there was a zero somewhere. That would’ve made it perfect :).”

While a majority of comments were supportive, a few reminded the PCB chief of his main role.

One fan advised, “Boss ap trolling hum pay choro or cricket theek karo jo apka kaam hai [Boss, leave the trolling to us and focus on fixing cricket].” Another reacted with surprise, saying, “Boss ye kis line mei agai ap (Boss, what line of work have you entered)?”

Some users also dismissed criticism from across the border, pointing out that Naqvi’s post was shared in his personal capacity. One fan wrote, “Take a chill India He posted this video as Interior Minister of Pakistan, not as ACC president .”

With fans divided between admiration and reminders of responsibility, Naqvi’s post has added a new dimension to the ever-intense Pakistan-India cricket rivalry, proving that the battle is now being fought as much online as it is on the field.

It, however, merits a mention that Ronaldo’s video was not originally a political statement, but a goal celebration following a precise header against UAE’s Al Wasl in February this year.

Pakistan fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi shared a light moment during a pre-match media session when he momentarily forgot Bangladesh’s popular cricket nickname ‘Tigers’ before the crucial Super Four match in the ACC Men’s Asia Cup 2025.

When a reporter asked Afridi about Pakistan’s playing XI against the Tigers, the pacer replied with a laugh, “Tigers who? Sorry, I don’t know.”

Afridi’s remark immediately spread on social media, prompting a mix of humor and slight nervousness among fans regarding the high-stakes contest.

The joke quickly became a talking point, with many users cautioning against giving Bangladesh extra motivation. 

One user commented, “Kaheen wo mazak ko seriously he na le len (Hope they don’t take that joke seriously)”. Another fan humorously played up the rivalry, writing, “Phir match se pehle panga leliya. (They picked a fight again before the match).”

Others acknowledged the need for a strong performance, posting, “Aj pata chale ga tiger kon hay . (Today we will find out who the tiger is)”. Some tried to smooth things over, commenting, “Bangladesh Bhaio serious maat Lena it was just a joke. (Bangladeshi brothers, don’t take it seriously, it was just a joke).

A few users pointed out the confusion that sometimes arises from multiple teams having similar animal-themed nicknames: “Many times we heard Lankan tigers i think many of us were too worried which tiger journalist was talking about.”

Shaheen Afridi quickly turned serious when discussing the upcoming match, emphasizing that Pakistan was fully focused on securing a win.

“Bangladesh are a good team and have been playing good cricket recently,” Afridi told reporters. “In such games, you must land the first punch and not give them opportunities. We will have to play well in all three departments—batting, bowling and fielding—to win.”

He also addressed the recent increased aggression shown by Pakistan’s fast bowlers, particularly during the Super Fours encounter against India.

“It’s nothing new. We’ve always been aggressive since the day we started playing cricket. That’s how fast bowling is done,” he remarked. “When a fast bowler shows aggression, it lifts the energy of the whole team. There is no special plan for this—our job is to show aggression and take wickets.”

Afridi stressed the team’s professional outlook: “Everyone has their own opinion, but our job is to play cricket. We won the tri-nation series; now we are here to win the Asia Cup. As a team, we are working hard to give Pakistan joy.”

The 25-year-old also reiterated his commitment to the team’s all-round performance. “My role is to give 100 percent in whatever position I’m asked to play—batting, bowling, or fielding,” he said. “Everyone has to contribute in whatever role they are given so that Pakistan benefits.”

Pakistan is scheduled to face Bangladesh today in a must-win clash. If Pakistan wins this match, they will advance to the Asia Cup final, where they will meet India for the third time in the tournament. The Asia Cup final is set for September 28.

Controversy struck the Asia Cup 2025 yet again during a Super Four match between India and Bangladesh as social media questioned the integrity of India captain Suryakumar Yadav and the decision of umpire Ahmed Shah Pakteen (from Afghanistan) following a clear edge that was initially given not out.

The Indian captain, who has been struggling for form, scored just five runs before a contentious dismissal that has since fueled outrage on social media. The incident involved the ball taking a visible deflection off Yadav’s bat before being caught by the wicketkeeper. However, umpire Pakteen gave the decision in favor of the batsman, despite the ball’s angle clearly changing after contact.

Compounding the controversy, Suryakumar Yadav chose not to walk off the field, remaining at the crease until the Bangladesh team chose to use the Decision Review System (DRS). The ensuing TV review quickly confirmed the edge, forcing Yadav to leave.

The refusal to acknowledge a clear dismissal, especially from a team captain, angered many fans. Social media exploded with criticism, not only targeting the umpire for the poor decision but also Yadav for his lack of sportsmanship. 

One furious user simply commented, “Shamelessly, umpire and Suryakumar Yadav thought they’d escape this.”

Another fan questioned the player’s integrity, writing, “Forget the umpire, why didn’t SKY walk? Surely, in this day and age, he didn’t think he’ll get away with it. And he’s the captain of his side.”

The umpire faced heavy criticism from others, with one person writing, “I mean – how? How did he not give it out?” and another calling out the judgment: “Very pathetic, funny & ridiculous. Umpiring has been brought to this level that even the ball deflected after touching the bat was not given out.”

Accusations of deception also surfaced, as a user noted, “Special cheaters and how he made himself unaware…Great actors.” While one commenter focused on the inconsistency of the umpire, saying, “If according to him it wasn’t out then why he didn’t give wide ball? Chutiya umpire.”

The incident has intensified calls on social media for the BCCI to reconsider the team’s composition and potentially bring back players like Shreyas Iyer.

Yadav’s minimal contribution of five runs comes amid an ongoing dip in his form since taking on the captaincy, which remains a key concern for the Indian team. Despite India winning most of their fixtures, Yadav’s consistency has been minimal.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has lodged a formal complaint with the International Cricket Council (ICC) against Pakistan cricketers Haris Rauf and Sahibzada Farhan pertaining to their on-field gestures during the Asia Cup Super Fours match in Dubai last Sunday.

According to media reports, the BCCI sent the complaint via email on Wednesday, and the ICC has officially received it. The specific incidents the BCCI complained about Farhan’s aggressive celebration after reaching his half-century and Rauf making a gesture toward a section of fans while fielding on the boundary, have been widely circulated across social media since the match.

If Farhan and Rauf choose to deny the allegations in writing, the ICC could convene a formal hearing to address the matter. The players would likely have to appear before match referee Richie Richardson, who is one of the two match referees assigned to the tournament.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) also reportedly filed an official complaint with the ICC against India captain Suryakumar Yadav.

The PCB’s complaint stems from Yadav dedicating India’s victory over Pakistan in the group stage match on September 14 to “the families of the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack” and to the Indian armed forces. The PCB has labeled the comments “political.”

Yadav had stated during the presentation ceremony after the first match, “Want to dedicate the win to all our armed forces who showed a lot of bravery. Hope they continue to inspire us all, and we give them more reasons on the ground whenever we get an opportunity to make them smile.”

That first encounter on September 14 generated significant controversy after the Indian captain did not shake hands with Pakistan skipper Salman Ali Agha at the toss, and Indian players avoided greeting the Pakistan squad after the game.

The Super Fours match itself, the second contest between the rivals this Asia Cup, also saw several intense moments, including heated exchanges between Pakistan fast bowlers Shaheen Shah Afridi and Rauf, and India openers Abhishek Sharma and Shubman Gill.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has initiated proceedings against Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav following a formal complaint by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) over the cricketer’s inappropriate comments.

The PCB lodged the complaint regarding comments Yadav made after India’s group stage victory over Pakistan in the ongoing Asia Cup 2025. Securing a dominant seven-wicket win against the Men in Green, Yadav had dedicated the victory to the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack, expressing solidarity with Indian armed forces during the post-match presentation.

“Perfect occasion, taking the time out, we stand by the families of the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack. We express our solidarity… Want to dedicate the win to all our armed forces who showed a lot of bravery,” he had said.

Soon after the game, the PCB filed an official complaint and the ICC has confirmed it is reviewing the matter.

According to reports, match referee Richie Richardson sent an email to the Indian team management acknowledging two reports by the PCB concerning Yadav’s statements.

Richardson’s email reportedly outlined his preliminary findings, stating that after reviewing all evidence and statements provided by the PCB, Yadav’s remarks were deemed to have potentially harmed the image of the sport.

“The ICC has asked me to handle two reports lodged by the Pakistan Cricket Board regarding comments made by your captain, Suryakumar Yadav, during the presentation and post-match press conference after the India vs Pakistan match on September 14, 2025,” read the email.

“After examining the full reports and reviewing the evidence, I have concluded that a charge should be brought against Suryakumar Yadav for conduct that brings the game into dispute by making inappropriate comments, which are detrimental to the interest of the game,” it concluded.

Yadav now reportedly faces two choices. He can accept the charge leveled against him or he can face a formal hearing. This hearing will be conducted by the ICC match referee, representatives from the BCCI and the PCB. Further action remains subject to the developments.