The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman, Mohsin Naqvi, has ignited a fresh controversy during the Asia Cup 2025, drawing criticism from cricket fans in both Pakistan and India. Naqvi, who also serves as the head of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC), shared a video of football star Cristiano Ronaldo making a "fighter-jet" gesture on social media platform X. This action is perceived as an endorsement of similar gestures made by Pakistani cricketers Haris Rauf and Sahibzada Farhan during their Asia Cup match against India, which have already been widely condemned.

Rauf's gestures, which included mimicking the downing of a fighter jet and displaying a '6-0' hand signal, were interpreted as mocking India's response to the Pahalgam terror attack and the subsequent Operation Sindoor. Sahibzada Farhan added to the controversy by celebrating his half-century with a "gun-firing" gesture. These actions were seen as insensitive, especially given the recent cross-border hostilities between the two nations.

Naqvi's decision to amplify these gestures by posting the Ronaldo video has been met with strong disapproval. Critics argue that as the chairman of the PCB and the head of the ACC, Naqvi should be promoting sportsmanship and de-escalating tensions, rather than fueling further controversy.

Fans and cricket analysts have slammed Naqvi for not behaving like a professional and for using his position to engage in political posturing. They believe that his actions have damaged the spirit of the game and have shifted the focus away from Pakistan's on-field performance. Some observers have noted that instead of calming the situation, Naqvi has only worsened it.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has reportedly taken a stern view of the gestures made by Rauf and Farhan, lodging an official complaint with the match referee, Andy Pycroft, and providing video evidence of what they consider "indecent and provocative behaviour". The BCCI believes that the gestures were intentional and warrant strict action.

Amidst the controversy, Pakistan's pacer Shaheen Afridi acknowledged that on-field celebrations should not be the team's focus, emphasizing that their job is to play cricket. However, he also stated that everyone has the right to express themselves as they wish.

This incident is not the first time Naqvi has been embroiled in controversy involving India. Previously, he criticized the Indian team for refusing to shake hands with Pakistani players and match officials after a match, accusing them of lacking sportsmanship and bringing politics into the game.

As the Asia Cup 2025 progresses, it remains to be seen whether any official action will be taken against Naqvi or the Pakistani players involved in these controversies. However, the incidents have undoubtedly added another layer of tension to the already highly charged rivalry between India and Pakistan. While India has secured its place in the final, Pakistan faces Bangladesh in a crucial match to determine the other finalist.