New Delhi, Sep 23: Former India cricketer Aakash Chopra has criticized Pakistan players Shahibzada Farhan and Haris Rauf for their controversial on-field gestures during the recent Asia Cup Super 4s clash against India, which the Men in Blue won convincingly by six wickets.

Farhan, who scored a half-century, marked the milestone with a gunshot-style celebration, mimicking an assault rifle with his bat.

The gesture sparked immediate backlash from fans and pundits, especially given his modest strike rate of 129.

Chopra, known for his candid analysis, mocked the theatrics in a video posted on X, saying, “This celebration, with a strike rate of 129? Last time against India, you couldn't even make it run a ball… The world is flying Rafael, and you're flying a kite and celebrating.”

Haris Rauf, meanwhile, drew further ire after gesturing a plane take-off and landing toward the crowd during India’s chase. The act, interpreted as a reference to Pakistan’s unverified claims of downing Indian jets, was met with boos and criticism. Chopra responded with biting sarcasm: “Harris' plane takes off and falls… Everyone asked the same question in Melbourne — Is that a bird, or a plane? And then that plane landed. Where? Near the sight screen as Kohli hit that brilliant shot.”

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Rauf later signaled “6-0” to the crowd, a gesture that Chopra dismantled with statistical precision. “Come on, man, improve your math! It's actually 7-0! Because India have won the last T20 Internationals against Pakistan. It'd even be fine if you say 8-0 because the ICC ODI World Cup matches, India-8, Pakistan-0,” he said, adding that the live telecast prevented any false claims of victory.

The incident has reignited debates over sportsmanship and the intensity of the India-Pakistan rivalry. While Farhan and Rauf’s actions were seen by some as attempts to fire up their team, critics argue they crossed the line into provocation and theatrics.

India’s composed response on the field — led by Abhishek Sharma’s explosive 74 and Shubman Gill’s steady 47 — ensured the scoreboard did the talking. As vice-captain Gill posted after the match: “Game speaks, not words.”

(IANS)