Sundhu’s Record-Breaking Performance Overshadowed by Gesture
Pakistan women’s cricket team spinner Nashra Sundhu made headlines on Monday with a career-defining performance in an ODI match against South Africa at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium. The 26-year-old left-arm spinner scalped six wickets, guiding Pakistan to a memorable win and simultaneously becoming the fastest Pakistani woman to claim 100 wickets in One Day Internationals. Her on-field brilliance earned her the Player of the Match award and widespread appreciation for her consistency and dedication.
However, what should have been a purely celebratory moment for Sundhu quickly turned contentious. After her six-wicket haul, Sundhu flashed a six-finger gesture, reminiscent of the much-criticized antics of Pakistan men’s team pacer Haris Rauf during the Asia Cup 2025 Super 4 clash against India a day earlier.
Gesture Adds Fuel to Asia Cup Controversy
Rauf had drawn widespread condemnation after making a provocative “6-0” sign coupled with a plane-crash motion toward Indian fans during Pakistan’s match against India. His teammate, opening batter Sahibzada Farhan, had also stoked controversy with an “AK-47” style bat celebration after reaching his half-century. Both incidents sparked outrage among Indian fans and former cricketers, who accused Pakistani players of crossing the line of sportsmanship.
With Sundhu repeating a similar gesture so soon after Rauf’s incident, many fans and commentators believe the women’s cricket star only added fuel to an already heated debate. What was meant as a personal milestone celebration was instead interpreted as an insensitive mimicry of a gesture that has already strained cricketing ties.
Social Media Divided Over Sundhu’s Post
Shortly after the match, Sundhu shared a picture of her six-finger celebration on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), alongside a heartfelt note of gratitude.
“Alhamdulillah, truly humbled to reach the milestone of 100 ODI wickets with a player of the match award. I am grateful to my family, teammates, and support staff for their constant support. Looking ahead with gratitude and determination,” Sundhu posted.
Her words were largely respectful and focused on her achievement, but the accompanying image reignited the controversy. Indian fans criticized the gesture as a deliberate provocation, while several Pakistani supporters defended Sundhu, claiming the sign was an innocent expression of her six-wicket haul and bore no political connotation.
Nashra Sundhu today’s 6 wickets
Sidra Amin 6 hundreds
And Haris Rauf 🔥 🔥
Bat personal ho rahe ha🤣#PAKWvSAW #HarisRauf #PAKvIND#AsiaCupT20 #AsiaCup #paofc #AsiaCup2025 #INDvsPAK #sstvi #SahibzadaFarhan #ACC #PakistanCricket #ShaheenAfridi pic.twitter.com/PGVcEEspss— D̴a̴w̴a̴r̴⭐̴🇵🇰 (@nnqdawar33) September 22, 2025
Irfan Pathan Slams Pakistani Players’ Celebrations
Former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan expressed sharp disapproval of recent celebratory trends within the Pakistan camp. Speaking on his YouTube channel, Pathan took aim at both Rauf and Farhan for their antics.
“I want to talk about the celebrations a little bit. Sahibzada Farhan, you know the tensions between the two sides. Haris Rauf, for that matter, I thought that he was a decent person. The gestures he made in the field yesterday were needless. It tells about both of their nature and what upbringing they come from,” Pathan remarked.
He added that such actions damage the spirit of the game, stressing that cricket should remain a contest on the field without spilling over into provocations or political undertones. Pathan also hinted that fans would be appalled if they knew about certain behind-the-scenes behavior.
Cricket Spirit Versus Controversy
The episode highlights the fragile nature of cricketing ties between India and Pakistan, where every gesture and celebration is dissected through the lens of political rivalry. While Sundhu’s feat should have been remembered for its sporting significance—cementing her place as one of Pakistan’s premier bowlers—the controversy has shifted focus away from her achievement.
Analysts warn that such incidents, even if unintentional, risk overshadowing genuine sporting milestones. At a time when women’s cricket is striving for more visibility and respect on the global stage, players are being urged to maintain restraint and avoid actions that could be misconstrued.
What Lies Ahead for Sundhu
Despite the uproar, Sundhu’s record stands tall as a milestone for Pakistan women’s cricket. She joins an elite list of bowlers who have crossed the 100-wicket mark in ODIs and has established herself as a match-winner for her team.
Yet, the controversy surrounding her gesture may linger for some time, especially as the men’s Asia Cup 2025 continues to stoke nationalist sentiments on both sides of the border. Sundhu’s future performances will likely determine whether her cricketing legacy outweighs the noise of this moment.
