BCCI issues official statement on Haris Rauf’s 'Rafale-down' gesture; BAN IMMINENT?

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Pakistani pacer Haris Rauf has drawn media attention after his on-field antics took over social media. The bowler made some controversial 'plane crash' gestures with his hand, mocking the Indian fans and threatening the country's dignity. The Indian management has finally issued an official statement on the same.
The Men in Blue featured against the Asian rivals Pakistan in an Asia Cup fixture on Sunday. It marked the initiation of the Super-4 campaign for both teams. India defeated Pakistan comfortably by 6 wickets, with opener Abhishek Sharma leading the way for a stunning chase.
India's official statement on Haris Rauf's controversial gestures during the Asia Cup game
When Pakistan took on India at the Dubai International Stadium for the second time in the Asia Cup 2025, they were up for avenging their past humiliation. Though they could not produce a win in the match, some exciting moments were witnessed by cricket fans.
However, Haris Rauf, who was their most economical as well as successful bowler, made some dubious hand gestures. The gestures were meant to irk Indian fans, as he showed the crash of fighter jets, reigniting the false claim that Pakistan had shot down 6 fighter jets of the Indian Air Force.
There has been severe criticism on social media, while fans and countrymen have expressed their displeasure with the act. The Indian fielding coach, Ryan ten Doeschate, however, in his statement said (as quoted by Hindustan Times):
"Let me just say, the amount of pressure that's been heaped on the players because of the situation, it's very difficult to control their behaviour. I did see some of the things Haris did, and, you know, that's not our concern. Like I said earlier, we're really proud of how the guys carried themselves, you know, they were on fire with their bats on the field. You know, how the teams showed their ambitions."
Indian coach excuses Pakistan players, claiming the mounting pressure pushed them to behave oddly
"I'll say, given the situation, you can see why guys are behaving and what they're trying to portray. But we were very focused on how we wanted to play. I think we stuck to the cricket really well. It would have been easy to lose our minds at that point, given the celebration as well,” said ten Doeschate.
He then went on to praise the impressive performance from the Indian batters, who played stunningly to restrict Pakistan to 171 and then chase the total comfortably, marking their second win in the tournament.
"Some of the words during the game from the Pakistan bowling unit, but I thought the guys stuck really well to the task of getting the job done and winning the game," he added.
This statement portrays an ignorant attitude towards the insulting gesture made by the Pakistani cricketer.
Pakistan will have to win the remaining games to qualify for the Asia Cup Final
Though even the Indian side is not yet through to the finals of the Asia Cup 2025, however, considering their ominous run so far in the tournament, it can be stated that India will qualify for the finals, winning their remaining games.
However, for Pakistan, it is even more difficult after they lost the first game against India. If they go on to win the remaining matches against Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, then there would be a possibility that Pakistan would get to play against India for the third time in this tournament.
Though lost twice, a win in the Finals for Pakistan can lead them to the best-ever revenge against the Asian rivals.
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India National Cricket Team Pakistan National Cricket Team India vs Pakistan Haris Rauf Ryan ten Doeschate BCCI PCB Asia Cup