Picture Credit: X
Hours after Pakistan cricket team went down against India in Asia Cup 2025 Super Four match in Dubai on September 21 by six-wicket margin, on Monday, September 22, the Pakistan men’s under 17 football team also registered a drubbing against India. The dramatic 2-3 loss against India in the SAFF U-17 Championship in Colombo, not only saw thrilling play from both sides, but was also marred with controversial gestures.
In the pulsating game, goals from Dallulmuan Gangte (31’) and Dunleiba Wangkheirakpam (63’) helped India stay in the fight as Pakistan also responded through goals coming from Muhammad Abdullah (43’) and Hamza Yasir (70’). But the final strike from Rahan Ahmed (73’) put India in the front and eventually helped them finish at the top of Group B.
Pakistan U-17 football team mocks India with “sipping tea” and airplane crash gestures; video goes viral
During the contest, Muhammad Abdullah’s 43-minute goal changed the entire moment of the match. With Pakistan levelling the scores with Abdullah’s strike, the player’s post-goal antics captured the limelight, bringing in a new controversy. The young player ran to the corner, sat down to perform sajdah along with his teammates.
Thereafter, he brought in a unique celebration, before mimicking Pakistan pacer Haris Rauf’s gestures from the Asia Cup game. While they mimicked to be drinking tea - a move interpreted by many as a provocative nod to the 2019 incident involving Indian Air Force Wing Commandar Abhinandan Varthaman, they then emulated Haris Rauf, bringing the plane crash gesture, mocking at the four-day scuffle between India and Pakistan which took place following Operation Sindoor.
Speaking of the tournament, both India and Pakistan have qualified for the semi-finals, alongside Bangladesh and Nepal. While the Men in Blue will take on Nepal U-17 in the second semi-final on September 25, Pakistan U-17 will play Bangladesh. The winner of both the games will lock horns in the final later this month.
