The Asia Cup 2025 final between India and Pakistan at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium was marred by controversy before the first ball was even struck. Pakistan’s star fast bowlers, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Haris Rauf, were seen on camera conversing casually throughout India’s national anthem, which many fans on social media deemed insulting.
As is customary, both sides lined up for the national anthems before the game. While Indian players remained motionless and politely listened to Pakistan’s song first,
Afridi and Haris Rauf were seen conversing as India’s hymn was played.
The gesture, which was extensively televised and documented on social media, sparked outrage among fans.
Afridi, Haris Rauf ‘disrespect’ India’s national anthem at Asia Cup Final https://t.co/NoHSTCyqiH pic.twitter.com/LtvKYGUpKz
— Gags (@CatchOfThe40986) September 28, 2025
This was not the first controversy of the tournament involving Pakistani players. Earlier in the Super Four game between the two teams, Sahibzada Farhan’s gunfire-style celebration and Rauf’s provocative gestures toward Indian fans had led to complaints filed by the BCCI. Rauf was even fined by the ICC for his behaviour.
Meanwhile, Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav had already grabbed headlines for avoiding handshake stances against Pakistan for the third time in a row, including in the final, by avoiding customary pleasantries with opposition skipper Salman Agha.
Meanwhile, in the game, Pakistan started on a positive note, reaching 113/1, thanks to Sahibzada Farhan’s fifty. However, they collapsed in the death overs as Kuldeep Yadav bagged a four-wicket haul, triggering a collapse that saw Pakistan bowled out for under 150.
In the chase, India’s top order stumbled, losing Abhishek Sharma, Suryakumar, and Shubman Gill cheaply. But Tilak Varma took the onus on himself and hammered an unbeaten 69 off 53 balls, steadying India’s innings. Along with Sanju Samson and Shivam Dube, Tilak kept India in the hunt before finishing the chase in the final over. Rinku Singh, facing his very first ball of the tournament, sealed the victory with a boundary as the Men in Blue clinched their ninth Asia Cup title.
India
