Haris Rauf on IND-PAK rivalry (Source: @Aliiqbalkk/x.com, @ExploreSports_ /x.com)
As the India vs Pakistan rivalry is always entertaining, but after the recent cross-border tension affected the cricket field, it has grown fiercer. When the two sides finally met on the cricket field after this tense period, the contest sparked a war-like intensity, with every run and wicket charged with fierce emotion and national pride.
Amid the heated India-Pakistan rivalry, Haris Rauf’s 6-0 celebration grabbed headlines but drew sharp criticism for being unsportsmanlike. Yet, there was a time when the Pakistani pacer defended the spirit of the contest, telling a journalist that cricket is a game, not a war. After his recent behavior, his previous remark resurfaced.
Before the 6-0 gesture, Rauf once defended cricket’s spirit
Since the very beginning, the India-Pakistan rivalry has entertained fans and only grown fiercer with time. As the hype of the clash is still unstoppable, after Operation Sindoor, the on-field face-off has turned into an ongoing Cold War. Starting from the handshake saga of the group stage clash of the ongoing tournament, the fierce competition has added more spice to the rivalry.
As the ICC Men’s World Cup 2023 took place in India, the men in Green travelled in their neighbouring country after a long time. As the hype was sky high before the India-Pakistan clash on Indian soil, Pakistani bowler Haris Rauf slammed a journalist while defending India Pakistan relationship.
Haris Rauf and Indian batters have always shared a bittersweet rivalry, and a curious journalist once asked him why Pakistan seems less aggressive against India in their high-voltage faceoffs. Rauf’s defensive answer grabbed the attention.
Giving a sharp reply, Rauf said, “Why should I go and fight with Indians? It is cricket and not war”. After Rauf’s recent gesture, his previous remark grabbed the attention.
Haris Rauf pushes the limits of cricketing spirit
As cricket is a gentleman’s game, Haris Rauf crossed all the boundaries of the spirit of the game. Following the Pahalgam attack and Operation Sindoor, India-Pakistan tensions had already escalated, with fans even calling to boycott the Asia Cup clash. Yet, in the latest faceoff between the arch-rivals, Rauf’s actions sparked controversy, taking the fiery rivalry to a whole new level.
During the second innings of the intense clash, Haris Rauf was fielding in the boundary as fans playfully teased him with a ‘Virat Kohli’ chant, recalling their infamous 2022 T20 World Cup face-off. Being provoked by the chant, Rauf made a 6-0 gesture with his hand, and the moment went viral.
With his controversial gesture, Rauf appeared to mimic India’s fighter jets during Operation Sindoor, a claim Pakistan made about downing six jets, though unverified. As there is a fine line between cricket and politics, Rauf removed the line as the move drew massive criticism.
A rivalry that thrives on mind games over muscle
Over the years, fans enjoyed some incredible moments from the India-Pakistan rivalry. In calmer times, players often set political tensions aside, sharing camaraderie off the field. But recent incidents shattered that goodwill, turning the once-friendly Cold War into a full-blown cricketing battlefield.
The ongoing Asia Cup 2025 is the best example of the newly formed gesture of their rivalry. After the no-handshake saga in the group stage clash, the world remained stunned. After that bold incident, the Super Four clash between the two sides got more hyped. But some on-field altercations between the players of both sides ignited drama on the field.
Over time, the rivalry has moved from the pitch to the mind, leaving past camaraderie behind as cross-border tensions take center stage. Whether India and Pakistan clash in the Asia Cup final remains uncertain, but if they do, the spectacle promises thrills that could surpass all imagination.
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