In a match packed with tension and talent, it was a boundary-side moment—not a wicket—that sent social media into overdrive. During the Asia Cup 2025 Super Four clash between India and Pakistan on September 21, fast bowler Haris Rauf’s 6-0 gesture delivered a response that was as bold as his bowling—and twice as viral.
While fielding near the boundary during India’s innings, Rauf responded to crowd taunts with a hand signal that needed no words. He raised six fingers on one hand, followed by a dramatic zero with the other. Then, with theatrical flair, he mimed a fighter jet soaring skyward—only to nosedive in mock defeat.
The crowd buzzed. The clip spread like wildfire. And the symbolism? Unmistakable.
Many fans immediately linked Haris Rauf’s 6-0 gesture to the Pakistan Air Force’s reported takedown of six Indian jets during the May conflict dubbed Marka-e-Haq. That operation, known as Bunyan-um-Marsoos, followed cross-border strikes from New Delhi and saw Islamabad respond with aerial precision. Rauf’s gesture, whether spontaneous or calculated, tapped straight into that national memory.
Pakistani supporters flooded social media with praise, calling it gutsy, clever, and “peak rivalry energy.” Indian fans, meanwhile, were less amused—responding with memes, critiques, and plenty of keyboard fury. The moment became a flashpoint, proving once again that in cricket’s fiercest rivalry, even a hand signal can spark headlines.
Adding to the buzz, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif chimed in online, referencing the PAF’s “6-0” scoreline and declaring that India would never forget the aerial outcome. His post added a political layer to the sporting drama, further fueling the digital debate.
But the theatrics didn’t end there.
As the match concluded—India successfully chasing Pakistan’s 172-run target with six wickets to spare—another moment drew attention. Players from both sides walked off without the customary post-match handshake. No smiles, no gestures of sportsmanship. Just silence.
Sanju Samson and Hardik Pandya sealed the win in the penultimate over, but the absence of handshakes left fans and commentators speculating. Was it oversight, or a reflection of deeper tensions? Neither team offered clarification, but the frostiness was hard to miss.
In the end, Haris Rauf’s 6-0 salute became the unofficial highlight of the night. It wasn’t part of the scorecard, but it certainly made the rounds. In a rivalry where every run, every stare, and every shrug can carry weight, Rauf’s airborne jab reminded everyone: in India vs. Pakistan, nothing is ever just a gesture.
