The bitter rivalry between India and Pakistan has been playing out throughout the Asia Cup Final between the two teams. But two players from the Pakistani camp took it to a whole new level just before the all-important Asia Cup 2025 Final on Sunday. The players in question are the premier pace duo of Shaheen Shah Afridi and Haris Rauf.

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Right before the start of the match, both squads walked out in the middle for the customary National Anthems. First, the Pakistan National Anthem played in the stadium as players from either side stood still to honour the anthem. Later, it was the turn of India's National Anthem. And what followed was absolutely despicable behaviour from the Pakistani pair.

Haris Rauf and Shaheen Shah Afridi were both moving continuously and talking to each other during the Indian National Anthem. An act of utter disrespect to India. And many fans in the stadium and around the world who had tuned in to watch the Asia Cup final were shocked to see this, as images and videos of this incident circulated on social media.

A fan wrote on X(formerly known as Twitter), "During India’s National Anthem, Haris Rauf & Shaheen Afridi kept moving around, trying to show disrespect. Such behaviour is shameful and must be condemned! #AsiaCup #indvspak2025"

Haris Rauf was also involved in yet another controversy, leading to him facing serious consequences and being fined by the ICC after he was seen mocking the alleged 6 aircraft crash during Operation Sindoor, the last time these two sides met in the tournament.

This action by the two Pakistan players takes this bitter disrespect on the pitch to a whole new level. It remains to be seen whether they are condemned for their gesture ahead of the Asia Cup Final.