(Sports Correspondent: Imran Sohail)
Pakistan–India Rivalry at Asia Cup 2025 Spills Beyond the Cricket Field
The Pakistan–India rivalry at the ongoing Asia Cup 2025 is proving to be just as intense off the field as it is on it. From crowd reactions to social media trends, the contest continues to generate headlines across both countries.
Recently, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi became the focus of media attention after sharing a video of football legend Cristiano Ronaldo on X (formerly Twitter). In the short clip, Ronaldo can be seen making gestures resembling an aircraft taking off and then descending. While the gesture was likely directed at rival fans during one of his appearances for Al Nassr, its timing sparked debate in the subcontinent, especially given the charged atmosphere surrounding the Asia Cup.
This came shortly after the Pakistan–India Super Fours clash in Dubai, where on-field tensions were matched by heated crowd exchanges. During that match, Pakistan fast bowler Haris Rauf responded to taunts with a similar airplane-style gesture, which quickly went viral and even led to an official complaint.
Although Naqvi’s post carried no caption, many fans saw it as a subtle continuation of the rivalry narrative. Reactions in India were swift, with sections of the media describing the move as “provocative.”
The Asia Cup has already hosted two Pakistan–India encounters, and both have been high-voltage affairs. Beyond cricket, the rivalry has spilled into online spaces, with memes, debates, and reactions trending across platforms.
With the possibility of another Pakistan vs India final still on the horizon, the excitement around the tournament shows no signs of slowing down. Fans are eagerly waiting to see if the action on the pitch can match the buzz it has created off it.
