The Pakistan Under-19 cricket team marked their commanding 191-run win against India in the Under-19 Asia Cup final in Dubai with energetic celebrations that quickly went viral on social media. Players were seen dancing to Flipperachi’s popular Fa9la track from the film Dhurandhar, a song that has gained massive traction online despite the movie being officially banned in Pakistan and several other Islamic nations.
The choice of music drew widespread reactions, with fans from both countries debating the irony of the celebration song and the emotions surrounding the high-profile rivalry. The video clips circulated rapidly across platforms, adding a cultural layer to an already intense cricketing contest.
On the field, Pakistan delivered a dominant performance. After posting a formidable 347 for eight in their allotted overs, the bowlers dismantled the Indian batting line-up, dismissing them for 156 in just 26.2 overs.
The win handed Pakistan their first Under-19 Asia Cup title in 13 years and only their second overall in the tournament’s history.
However, the final was not without controversy. Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Mohsin Naqvi accused Indian players of engaging in provocative behaviour during the match and confirmed that the PCB would formally raise the matter with the International Cricket Council. He stressed that sports and politics should remain separate and expressed concern over on-field conduct.
Earlier, Pakistan Under-19 team mentor Sarfaraz Ahmed had also criticised India’s behaviour, describing it as unethical and against the spirit of the game. Sarfaraz, who led Pakistan to a Champions Trophy title against India in 2017, stated that his team chose to celebrate their success with restraint despite the exchanges during the match. He emphasised that cricket should always be played with sportsmanship and respect.
Incidents related to player conduct in India-Pakistan encounters are not uncommon. During the senior men’s T20 Asia Cup in Dubai earlier this year, both cricket boards had raised issues with the ICC over on-field behaviour across multiple matches, including the final. The latest episode in the Under-19 final has once again highlighted how closely contested rivalry often spills beyond the scoreboard.
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