Pakistan U-17 player Muhammad Abdullah sparked controversy with his post-goal celebration during the SAFF U-17 Championship match against India.
India versus Pakistan SAFF U-17 Championship: The rivalry between India and Pakistan has grown beyond sports and is now entangled in controversy. Extreme political tensions between the two nations frequently affect the field, leading to heated incidents that attract international notice.
With both sides competing against each other in the Group Stage and Super Four, the Asia Cup 2025 has seen a fierce rivalry between India and Pakistan that has been tainted by scandal.
When Pakistani batsman Haris Rauf made the “6-0” sign during India’s second match versus Pakistan in the current tournament, it was interpreted as a mockery of the Indian fans. Rauf also imitated a fighter plane being downed, which is an unfounded accusation made by Pakistan. Sahibzada Farhan, the opener for Pakistan, too celebrated with a rifle after hitting his half-century.
Also read : India defeated Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2025 Super Four to tie the T20I world record.
Pakistan’s young football players appear to have been influenced by the contentious gestures made by cricket players. Muhammad Abdullah, a Pakistani football player, caused controversy during a recent SAFF U-17 Championship match against India by imitating batsman Rauf’s motions.
Abdullah ran to the corner flag, sat down with his teammates, and imitated drinking tea after he scored a penalty kick to tie the score at one with India. This gesture was widely seen as a provocative reference to the 2019 incident, Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman’s capture, and his subsequent release.
Not content with just one motion, Abdullah proceeded to imitate a “jet crashing” gesture akin to Rauf’s action, alluding to Pakistan’s fabricated allegations of bringing down Indian fighter jets during Operation Sindoor, an Indian military operation in retaliation for the Pahalgam terror incident.
In a thrilling match at the Racecourse International Stadium, India prevailed 3-2 to take the lead in Group B.