Did Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf disrespect India's national anthem in Asia Cup 2025 final?
Pakistan pacers Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf faced backlash for chatting during India's national anthem at the Asia Cup 2025 final, sparking controversy ahead of the high-stakes match.
Last Updated: 09.17 PM, Sep 28, 2025
The Asia Cup 2025 final between India and Pakistan at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium was marred by a pre-match controversy involving Pakistani pacers Shaheen Shah Afridi and Haris Rauf. As both teams lined up for the national anthems, cameras captured Afridi and Rauf engaged in conversation during India's anthem, a gesture that quickly went viral and was widely criticized as disrespectful.
This incident added to the already charged atmosphere surrounding the match. Earlier, India captain Suryakumar Yadav had maintained the team's "No Handshake" policy, pointedly ignoring former Pakistan captain Salman Agha during the toss. Additionally, the toss itself was conducted unusually, with separate broadcasters interviewing each captain, further highlighting the tense relations between the two teams.
The controversy surrounding the national anthem incident has sparked widespread debate among fans and former cricketers, questioning the players' conduct and the spirit of the game. While some defend the players' actions as unintentional, others view it as a breach of sportsmanship, especially given the heightened emotions of an India-Pakistan encounter.
Impact on the India vs Pakistan match's atmosphere
The incident has undoubtedly added fuel to the fire of an already emotionally charged final. With both teams under immense pressure, such controversies can influence player morale and fan sentiments. The International Cricket Council (ICC) has yet to comment on the incident, but given the high-profile nature of the match, it's expected that the matter will be reviewed.
As the match progresses, all eyes will not only be on the players' performances but also on how such controversies are handled in the aftermath. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining decorum and respect, especially in matches that transcend the boundaries of sport and tap into national pride.