Haris Rauf’s ‘6-0’ Gesture Sparks Controversy After Asia Cup Loss to India

Dubai – Pakistani pacer Haris Rauf became the center of a heated online debate after making a bold hand gesture toward Indian fans during Pakistan’s Asia Cup clash against India on Sunday. Following jeers from the crowd, Rauf responded with a “six-zero” gesture, a reference to a military confrontation between India and Pakistan that remains contentious.

The gesture, made during a tense moment in the match at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, reignited both sporting and political tensions between the two rival nations.

Rauf’s six-finger salute symbolized what is referred to in some Pakistani defense circles as the “Marka-e-Haq” — a moment when, according to Pakistani military accounts, six Indian fighter jets were shot down by the Pakistan Air Force in a past confrontation. Though not officially acknowledged by international defense observers in the same terms, the event is considered a symbolic victory in Pakistan and is often invoked in political rhetoric.

The phrase “6-0” was first popularized by Air Vice Marshal Aurangzeb Ahmed, who described the incident as a tactical triumph during a television appearance, calling it a “six-zero” win in the air.

The gesture quickly gained attention online and drew support from Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, who posted on X (formerly Twitter):

“Haris Rauf hit it right. Keep it up. Cricket matches will happen, but India will not forget 6-0 till the day of judgement and the world will also remember it.”

Asif’s comments have added a political dimension to what began as a sports-related controversy, reinforcing the militarized symbolism of Rauf’s hand signal.

Despite Rauf’s symbolic resistance, the match itself belonged to India. Abhishek Sharma’s explosive 74 off 39 balls, supported by Shubman Gill’s 47 off 28, helped India chase down Pakistan’s 171-run total with ease, securing a six-wicket win in the 14th match of the Asia Cup 2025.

The victory marked India’s seventh consecutive win over Pakistan in men’s internationals, a streak dating back to their last loss in the 2022 Asia Cup.

Reactions to Rauf’s gesture have been divided. While many Pakistani fans applauded the pacer for standing up to crowd taunts, critics on both sides have warned that such gestures risk turning sports into a political battleground.

Indian social media users accused Rauf of “provoking” fans and “distracting from the team’s defeat,” while some Pakistani users celebrated the moment as a “nationalist clapback.”

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This incident adds to a long list of politically charged moments in India-Pakistan cricket encounters. While players from both sides often stress sportsmanship, the rivalry frequently spills into political arenas, with fans and officials amplifying tensions.

With the Asia Cup heading into its knockout stages, cricket boards and tournament officials may now consider issuing stricter guidelines for on-field conduct to prevent future controversies.