Pakistan women’s team bowler Nashra Sundhu made history in Lahore. She became the fastest Pakistani woman to take 100 wickets in One Day Internationals (ODIs). Playing against South Africa at the Gaddafi Stadium on Monday, she picked up six wickets in a brilliant performance. Her bowling display earned her the Player of the Match award.
6-0 Gesture Sparks Backlash
While Sundhu’s performance won praise, her celebration created a storm. After taking six wickets, she showed a six-finger gesture on the field. Many fans linked this act to the recent controversy around Pakistan men’s cricketer Haris Rauf. Rauf had made plane-crash and 6-0 gestures against India in the Asia Cup 2025 Super 4 match, which drew heavy criticism.
Sundhu also posted the same gesture on social media after the match. She wrote on X (formerly Twitter), “Alhamdullillah, 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.”
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.🙏 pic.twitter.com/E3GUasY2CR
— Nashra Sundhu (@nashra_sundhu06) September 22, 2025
Fans Connect Her Gesture to Haris Rauf
Soon after Sundhu’s post, many Pakistani fans compared her gesture to Haris Rauf’s controversial act. Some defended her, saying it was a simple celebration of her six wickets. Others criticized the timing, saying such gestures should be avoided, especially given the heated India-Pakistan cricket rivalry.
In the same Asia Cup clash, another Pakistan player, Sahibzada Farhan, celebrated his fifty with an ‘AK47’ gun-style gesture, further fueling debates.
Irfan Pathan Criticizes Pakistani Players
Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan spoke strongly against these acts. On his YouTube channel, he said, “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. I met him in Australia a few years back. The gestures he made in the field yesterday were needless. It tells about both of their nature and what upbringing they come from.”
He further added, “Play cricket in the field. To stoop down to a personal level is quite bad. And then you expect us not to talk about it, that is wrong. But I am not surprised at all. They are capable of doing these things. What you got to see on TV, that was bad itself, but the things that go on behind the scenes, the fans would be shocked if they got to know about it.”
Nashra Sundhu’s six-finger gesture may have been a personal celebration, but it comes at a sensitive time for Pakistan cricket. With Haris Rauf and Sahibzada Farhan already under fire, the controversy around celebrations is likely to continue.
