Asia Cup Live: How controversy played out between India, Pakistan this tournament
India won the ninth Asia Cup, but the final against Pakistan was marked by heightened tension and mutual taunting. The tournament's atmosphere soured from the opening act, when India refused to shake hands in solidarity with terror victims and the armed forces, escalating into a confrontational summit clash.
In the final, India prevailed by five wickets on a long Sunday night, with Jasprit Bumrah delivering a decisive yorker to dismiss Haris Rauf and then mimicking Rauf’s earlier celebration in a viral gesture. Rauf’s earlier actions were seen as a mockery of India’s military response following the targeted killings attributed to Pakistan-backed militants, while Bumrah’s celebration was perceived as India's retort to that taunt.