ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan–India rivalry at the ongoing Asia Cup has well and truly spilled beyond cricketing boundaries, with Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi becoming the latest subject of media attention.
The two teams have been particularly fractious this year, with both the BCCI and PCB approaching the ICC to lodge complaints over breaches of its Code of Conduct.
On Wednesday, Mohsin Naqvi shared a video of global football icon Cristiano Ronaldo on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), which has become the latest in a long line of controversies.
Read more: Indian Captain Refuses to Accept Asia Cup Trophy from Mohsin Naqvi, Sparks Controversy
In the clip, the Portuguese legend is seen making gestures of an aircraft taking off and then nosediving. While Ronaldo’s gesture was most likely aimed at opposing fans during his appearance for Al Nassr, the action carries a very different connotation for audiences in Pakistan and India. Naqvi posted the video without a caption, but it was enough to reignite chatter across the border, with Indian fans linking it to the heated on-field exchanges during the ongoing Asia Cup 2025.
— Mohsin Naqvi (@MohsinnaqviC42) September 24, 2025
The timing of the post comes just days after the Pakistan–India Super Fours clash in Dubai, where tempers flared both on and off the pitch. During that game, Pakistan pacer Haris Rauf responded to Indian fans’ taunts by mimicking the fall of a jet, a gesture that went viral instantly and became the subject of an official complaint.
For many, Naqvi’s post was seen as a continuation of that silent trolling, with no explanation needed for the reference. The reaction in India was swift, with fans and sections of the media calling it “provocative,.
The Asia Cup, which has already featured two Pakistan–India encounters, has been just as intense off the field as it has been on it. From crowd taunts to social media jibes, the rivalry continues to generate headlines far beyond cricket.
With the possibility of another high-stakes clash in the tournament finale still a possibility, the stage is set for both teams to keep the contest alive in every way imaginable.
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