IND Vs PAK : Arshdeep Singh, Harshit Rana Troll Abrar Ahmed With ‘head Tilt’ Gesture After Asia Cup 2025 Win

The Asia Cup 2025 final at Dubai International Stadium will forever be remembered as one of the most dramatic nights in the tournament’s storied history. The clash between India and Pakistan—a rivalry that transcends sport—had everything: breathtaking batting, match-winning bowling spells, light-hearted trolling, and post-match controversy that spilled well beyond the 22 yards.

India emerged victorious by five wickets, securing their ninth Asia Cup title. But even as fireworks lit up the night sky and fans erupted in joy, the celebrations were laced with banter directed at Pakistan’s enigmatic spinner Abrar Ahmed, and an unprecedented trophy presentation fiasco that left the cricketing world stunned.

The Build-Up: High Stakes, High Expectations

No cricketing contest captures the imagination of fans quite like an India vs Pakistan final. Both teams had navigated a tricky Super Four stage, but the narrative leading into the decider was clear: India had momentum, Pakistan had pride.

For India, Abhishek Sharma’s explosive form and Kuldeep Yadav’s golden arm had set the tone throughout the tournament. Pakistan, on the other hand, leaned on their openers and the ever-dangerous Haris Rauf-Shaheen Afridi pace duo to carry them through tense situations.

The Dubai International Stadium, bathed in electric atmosphere, was packed to the rafters. Chants of “India! India!” echoed against the thunderous “Pakistan Zindabad!” as two cricketing heavyweights walked out to script another chapter in their historic rivalry.

Abrar Ahmed’s Head-Tilt Gesture Steals Spotlight

Every tournament has its subplots, and for Pakistan, it was Abrar Ahmed’s trademark head-tilt celebration. Known for his quirky, exaggerated tilt after taking wickets, Abrar had become both a talisman and a meme factory.

In the final, when Abrar dismissed Sanju Samson in the 13th over, he didn’t hold back. Samson, who had been looking steady on 24, edged one that turned sharply, and as the ball nestled safely into Mohammad Rizwan’s gloves, Abrar wheeled away.

He paused, tilted his head dramatically, and pointed towards the Indian dugout. The cameras caught it, the crowd roared, and for a fleeting moment, Pakistan had India reeling at 62/4. It felt like the spinner’s gesture embodied Pakistan’s swagger.

But cricket has a funny way of turning stories upside down.

India’s Fightback: Kuldeep and Tilak Shine

Pakistan’s innings began with promise. Sahibzada Farhan (57 off 36) and Fakhar Zaman (46 off 29) bludgeoned India’s pacers in the powerplay, racing to 113/1. A total above 180 looked imminent.

Enter Kuldeep Yadav. The wrist-spinner spun a web of deceit, ripping through the middle order with figures of 4/30. From 113/1, Pakistan crumbled spectacularly, losing nine wickets for just 33 runs to be bowled out for 146 in 19.1 overs.

India’s chase, however, was anything but straightforward. Abhishek Sharma (5), Shubman Gill (12), and captain Suryakumar Yadav (1) all fell cheaply. At 20/3, the game was Pakistan’s to lose.

Then came Tilak Varma’s defining innings. Calm under pressure, he crafted a brilliant 69 not out off 53 deliveries, mixing finesse with power. Supported by Shivam Dube’s 33 off 22, Tilak anchored India’s pursuit.

A nervy finish was on the cards until Varma smoked Haris Rauf for a towering six in the 19th over. The blow deflated Pakistan’s fightback, and soon Rinku Singh’s boundary sealed victory with two balls to spare.

India had won by five wickets, yet the night’s drama was far from over.

The Mockery: Arshdeep, Harshit and Jitesh Troll Abrar

As the celebrations began, a clip quickly surfaced that sent social media into meltdown. Arshdeep Singh, Harshit Rana, and Jitesh Sharma, instead of sticking to the usual fist pumps and hugs, decided to have some fun at Abrar Ahmed’s expense.

The trio gathered around Sanju Samson, who had been Abrar’s victim earlier in the night. Mimicking Abrar’s exaggerated head tilt, they leaned sideways in unison, laughing and pointing as teammates around them cracked up.

To make matters spicier, Arshdeep himself posted the clip on Instagram with the cheeky caption: “No context.”

Fans instantly flooded the comments section:

“Perfect reply to Abrar’s overacting!”
“This is how you return the favour—on the winning side!”
“India not just winning matches, but also winning memes.”

The video went viral within hours, drawing millions of views and sparking endless banter. Even neutral fans weighed in, with many calling it one of the funniest post-match moments in recent memory.

Trophy Ceremony Fiasco: From Banter to Bitter

Just as the night seemed destined to be remembered for light-hearted trolling, the trophy presentation ceremony collapsed into chaos.

Players lined up, photographers positioned themselves, and broadcasters readied their scripts. But when ACC President and PCB Chief Mohsin Naqvi walked forward with the silverware, the Indian team refused to step up.

Reports later confirmed that the BCCI had informed the ACC beforehand that its players would not accept the trophy directly from Naqvi, citing his political role and “ongoing national and cricketing tensions.” They had requested that Emirates Cricket Board vice-chairman Khalid Al Zarooni conduct the handover.

Naqvi refused. The standoff dragged on for nearly an hour before, in an unprecedented act, Naqvi and his officials walked away with the trophy and medals.

India’s players, left bemused, took a team photo on stage without the silverware. The image—a victorious squad with empty hands—instantly went viral, symbolizing both triumph and turmoil.

Reactions: Fury, Banter, and Disbelief

The aftermath was explosive.

From India

BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia blasted the incident:

“This is the first time a team has been denied its rightful trophy. It is unsportsmanlike and deeply unfortunate.”

Captain Suryakumar Yadav added:

“We play for the love of the game. To deny the players their trophy moment is unfair.”

From Pakistan and ACC

ACC officials defended the stance, insisting that protocol required the president to conduct the handover. PCB sources suggested India’s boycott was “political grandstanding.”

From Fans and Experts

Social media went into overdrive:

Indian fans launched hashtags like #ReturnTheTrophy.
Pakistani fans mocked India for “drama after victory.”
Neutral voices called it a “dark day for cricket diplomacy.”

Cricketing greats also weighed in:

Sunil Gavaskar: “Embarrassing scenes. Cricket deserved better.”
Wasim Akram: “Politics should not steal the joy of sport.”
Michael Vaughan: “Imagine winning a trophy and not lifting it. Extraordinary.”

The Symbolism of Banter and Defiance

In many ways, the mocking of Abrar Ahmed’s gesture and the refusal to accept the trophy from Naqvi were part of the same story—India asserting themselves not just on the pitch, but in the psychological and political arenas.

The head-tilt mimicry showed how Indian players were willing to indulge in playful banter while staying on the winning side.
The trophy standoff demonstrated their refusal to be part of a photo-op they believed carried political undertones.

Both incidents highlight how cricket between India and Pakistan is never just about bat and ball. It is about pride, perception, and the delicate dance between sport and politics.

Looking Ahead: What Next for India and Pakistan?

India now march forward with the Asia Cup crown, their ninth, and renewed momentum heading into the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy and the World T20 later next year. The emergence of Abhishek Sharma, the maturity of Tilak Varma, and the form of Kuldeep Yadav bode well for their future campaigns.

Pakistan, meanwhile, are left with soul-searching to do. Their middle-order collapse in the final exposed lingering vulnerabilities, while the controversies surrounding player celebrations and post-match protocol painted them in a divisive light.

At the administrative level, the BCCI-ACC clash is unlikely to fade quietly. With India expected to raise the matter at the next ICC conference, reforms around presentation protocols may become a subject of global debate.

A Final of Contrasts

The Asia Cup 2025 final will be remembered as a match of contrasts:

On the field, India’s resilience and Tilak Varma’s brilliance sealed the win.
In the celebrations, Arshdeep and company’s banter lit up social media.
Off the field, the trophy fiasco cast a shadow over sporting joy.

In the end, India celebrated without a trophy in hand but with their heads held high. And perhaps fittingly, the image of players mocking Abrar Ahmed’s head-tilt celebration will outlast the bitterness of the post-match drama—symbolizing that even amid politics, cricket still finds room for humour.

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