Huge controversy! Pakistan stars Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf insult India’s national anthem
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Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf were seen casually chatting when the Indian national anthem played and the players from the two teams were lined up as per protocol. This was marked as a disrespectful gesture, while Indian players stood attentively during Pakistan's national anthem.
The India vs Pakistan match in the Asia Cup final marked the much-anticipated contest as wished by the broadcasters. The two teams faced each other in the Asia Cup group stages, the Super-4 stage, and finally in the finals of the continental championship.
This was the first time the two teams had faced each other in the final match of the Asia Cup, having met in the competition's final, which marked the first title match between the two teams since the 2017 ICC Champions Trophy.
Pakistan pacers demean the Indian National Anthem
A major storm brewed at the Asia Cup 2025 final between India and Pakistan on Sunday at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. Pakistan bowlers Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf found themselves in the middle of another major controversy.
Just before the much-anticipated game was to begin, both teams lined up for the National anthem of their teams. While players from both sides stood in attention as per protocol, the first anthem played was of Pakistan. Despite their indifference, Indian players paid the amount of much-needed respect to the Pakistani anthem.
However, at the time of the Indian national anthem being played, the Pakistan bowling duo was noticed casually chatting in the anthem line. This gesture was met with criticism as the Indian fans slammed it as a disrespectful move.
Indian skipper continued the no-handshake policy; Toss witnesses different interviewers for the two captains
The incident not only fueled the tensions between the two teams but also shed light on the continuation of the snubbing of the handshake between Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav and the Pakistan skipper Salman Agha.
At the time of the toss, another bizarre incident occurred, as Indian skipper Suryakumar was interviewed by former World Cup winner Ravi Shastri and Pakistan skipper Salman Agha, on the other hand, was interviewed by former great Ravi Shastri.
This was the first time such a thing had ever happened in the history of the rivalry between the two teams. The ICC had also assigned Richie Richardson as the new match referee instead of Andy Pycroft.
Amid controversies, India crush Pakistan to defend the continental title
Despite the controversies, confrontations and much more, the Indian skipper Suryakumar Yadav went on to lift his maiden title in the history of the format. The continental championship marked his first major multi-national title.
Tilak Varma led India to their 9th Asia Cup title with a breathtaking knock in the shortest format of the game. 69* off just 53 balls, Tilak's innings comprised of the much-needed semblance alongside the timely aggression. This was a display of top-class hitting. India defended their title in 2023, and Gautam Gambhir continues his domination in white-ball cricket.
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India National Cricket Team Pakistan National Cricket Team India vs Pakistan Asia Cup Shaheen Afridi Haris Rauf
