Dubai : The highly anticipated Asia Cup 2025 final between cricketing rivals India and Pakistan was marred by controversy even before the first ball was bowled, as Pakistani pacers Shaheen Shah Afridi and Haris Rauf came under fire for their conduct during the Indian national anthem.
The incident occurred moments before the emotionally charged final commenced at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. As players from both sides lined up for the national anthems, footage captured by broadcasters and later widely circulated on social media appeared to show Afridi and Rauf “casually chatting” during the rendition of India’s anthem, a gesture many fans and commentators swiftly denounced as “disrespectful.”
While players are typically expected to stand in complete attention and silence as a mark of respect during any national anthem, the alleged lapse in etiquette by the star Pakistani bowling duo quickly sparked a storm online. Fans used the incident to question the players’ sportsmanship and conduct in a contest already charged with geopolitical tension.
The controversy over the anthem came amid a series of pre-match flashpoints, including India captain Suryakumar Yadav’s visible adherence to a ‘No Handshake’ policy towards Pakistan’s team officials and former players at the toss, further intensifying the emotionally volatile atmosphere surrounding the summit clash.
Neither the players nor the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) have yet issued an official statement addressing the widespread criticism regarding the national anthem incident.
