Mohsin Naqvi Stirs Buzz With Ronaldo Meme Aimed at India

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi has drawn attention on social media after sharing a clip of football legend Cristiano Ronaldo making an airplane gesture, a post widely seen as a subtle dig at India during the ongoing Asia Cup 2025.

A Gesture With Timing

The short video, posted on X (formerly Twitter), shows Ronaldo imitating a plane taking off before nosediving. Although made in a footballing context, the clip quickly resonated with cricket fans in South Asia, many of whom linked it to the high-stakes rivalry between Pakistan and India.

Naqvi’s decision to upload the video without a caption only added to the intrigue. Supporters interpreted it as a tongue-in-cheek reference to India’s struggles in the tournament and a continuation of the symbolic exchanges that have already played out on the field.

Link to Haris Rauf’s Celebration

Earlier in the competition, Pakistani pacer Haris Rauf had mimicked a falling aircraft while responding to taunts from Indian fans in the stands. The gesture became a viral talking point, symbolizing Pakistan’s spirited reply both on and off the pitch.

Naqvi’s choice of the Ronaldo clip appears to echo that moment, adding an international pop-culture layer to the rivalry and ensuring the story traveled far beyond cricket circles.

Reaction Across the Border

The post has been met with contrasting reactions. Pakistani fans praised the PCB chief for his “witty trolling,” celebrating it as a light-hearted jab at a traditional rival. Indian media outlets, however, described the move as provocative, suggesting it risked inflaming tensions during an already charged tournament.

On social media, the debate quickly took off, with memes, retweets, and commentary flooding timelines within hours of Naqvi’s post.

The Broader Context

Pakistan–India cricket encounters are rarely confined to the boundary ropes. Every match between the two sides carries layers of political, cultural, and emotional weight, and this year’s Asia Cup has been no exception.

Naqvi’s post underscores how the rivalry now plays out as much online as it does on the field. With the possibility of another meeting between the two sides in the knockout stages, both fans and officials will be bracing for more fireworks — both in cricket and in the meme wars.