From Venkatesh Prasad-Aamer Sohail to Abhishek Sharma-Haris Rauf: Most famous on-field altercations in India-Pakistan rivalry

After off-filed drama with Pakistan announcing a boycott against India in the T20 World Cup and the subsequent U-turn, the arch-rivals are set to faceoff in a high-stakes encounter at Colombo on Sunday.

Off-field controversies have already taken over and the heat could be translated on to the field like it has often happened when the two teams lock horns. In the rivalry that goes back into the 1950s, there have been several instances where players have exchanged a few words during the game.

The most the heated exchange was seen when Haris Rauf and Abhishek Sharma had a go at each other in last year's Asia Cup.

Here are few instances when the players from India and Pakistan lost their cool

Javed Miandad and Kiran More

Javed Miandad provided a moment to remember. 

India and Pakistan clashed for the first time in World Cup in 1992. Pakistan's veteran batter Javed Miandad was irked with excessive appealing from wicketkeeper Kiran More. After a few words with More and the umpire, Miandad jumped angrily as the Indian continued to appeal.

Later, More revealed during a commentary stint that Miandad intended to mimic his actions.

Venkatesh Prasad and Aamer Sohail

Venkatesh Prasad had the perfect reply for Aamer Sohail. 

In what remains etched as one of the most iconic India-Pakistan World Cup moments, Aamer Sohail smashed Venkatesh Prasad for four through point as Pakistan were dominating the run chase in the 1996 clash. The opener then gestured towards the boundary, signalling he will smash the ball in the area.

Prasad followed it up with fuller ball on stumps, on which Sohail swung and missed only to lose his off stump. The fiery send off from Prasad added to the drama. The ball turned the match as Pakistan suffered a dramatic collapse as India won comfortably.

Gautam Gambhir and Shahid Afirdi

Gautam Gambhir and Shahid Afridi's war of words

In an ODI in 2007, Gautam Gambhir had a heated exchange with Shahid Afridi after smashing him for a boundary. Moments later, the two collided while Gambhir was attempting a run.

This only added fuel to the fire and on-field umpire Ian Gould had to intervene. The two players were also fined for the altercation following the match.

Harbhajan Singh and Shoaib Akhtar

Harbhajan Singh and Shoaib Akhtar faced off in an Asia Cup match. 

The 2010 Asia Cup saw India and Pakistan play out of the closest matches. Chasing a stiff target of 268, India were in a spot of bother at 219/6. When Harbhajan Singh walked in with about 50 runs to win, the match could have swung either way.

It was in the final overs of the match that Singh smashed Shoaib Akhtar for a six, this was followed by a nasty bouncer from the Pakistani bowler. He then gave a stare, which gave way to a few words between the two.

India won the match with a ball to spare as Singh smashed another six to seal the game for his country. To celebrate, the Indian ran towards Akhtar, who was at third man and continued to stare at the pacer before Akhtar turned away.

Gautam Gambhir and Kamran Akmal

Umpires had to intervene Gautam Gambhir and Kamran Akmal.  

In the same Asia Cup 2010 match, Gautam Gambhir had earlier squared off with wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal during the drinks break. This came after Akmal's unsuccessful appeal against Gambhir, who eventually scored a match-winning 82.

The umpires and India captain MS Dhoni had to step in to stop the ugly exchange on field.

Abhishek Sharma and Haris Rauf

Abhishek Sharma and Haris Rauf engage in a fiery exchange. 

In the 2025 Asia Cup Super Four clash, Abhishek Sharma pulled Haris Rauf for a four, following which the bowler said a few

Sharma also did not hold back and said a few words in return, adding drama to the already flared up rivalry.