![Ravichandran Ashwin and Haris Rauf [Source: screengrab]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1782129814910_Ravi_Ashwin_and_Haris_Rauf.jpg?type=hq)
Ravichandran Ashwin and Haris Rauf [Source: screengrab]
The gulf between India and Pakistan, in cricket as well as in geopolitics, seems to be widening in recent years. Relations between the two nations have deteriorated further in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack last year, adding another layer of strain to an already fragile relationship.
With tensions between India and Pakistan continuing to cast a dark shadow over their cricketing ties, an unexpected moment of camaraderie provided a refreshing contrast in the ongoing MLC 2026 season.
The moment occurred on Monday, June 22 when San Francisco Unicorns teammates Ravichandran Ashwin and Haris Rauf got together for a fan meet-up.
In a viral moment trending on social media, the two cricketers can be seen sitting together at the meet-up while being surrounded by fans of the franchise.
Ravi Ashwin and Haris Rauf bring back India-Pakistan camaraderie
Former Indian all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin and active Pakistan fast bowler Haris Rauf got together and seemingly interacted with each other during an MLC 2026 event.
The two cricketers also interacted with a bunch of fans and handed them autographs, as per pictures circulating on social media.
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It is worth noting that both Ashwin and Rauf are part of the San Francisco Unicorns franchise in the MLC 2026 season in the USA, with the former serving as one of the seniormost members in the team.
Ravi Ashwin and Haris Rauf yet to play with each other
While Ravichandran Ashwin and Haris Rauf appeared to have demonstrated a rare moment of India-Pakistan camaraderie in these turbulent times, the two cricketers are yet to feature in the same playing XI for the San Francisco Unicorns this MLC 2026 season.
In San Francisco’s opening match of the tournament on June 19 in Dallas against the LAKR, Ashwin was benched from the playing XI while Rauf played for them.
In their subsequent match the following day against the Texas Super Kings, the team management roped Ashwin into the playing XI and benched the struggling paceman.
When Haris Rauf mocked India
Back during the 2025 Asia Cup last year, India and Pakistan players refused to interact with each other throughout the tournament, largely owing to the preceding cross-border conflict between the two nations.
With cricket getting caught in the geopolitical crossfire, Pakistan fast bowler Haris Rauf mocked Indian fans by making a “plane crashing” gesture while fielding near the boundary.
While Rauf’s gesture was aimed at Pakistan’s unproven claims of “gunning down Indian fighter jets”, the speedster received much backlash from fans of the sport.
Moreover, Team India won the Asia Cup 2025 title by taking Rauf to the cleaners on the big day in Dubai.
San Francisco Unicorns to take on TSK in Oakland leg of MLC 2026
The San Francisco Unicorns franchise will now face the Texas Super Kings in their third match of the MLC 2026 season. The match will be played at the Oakland Coliseum Stadium in Oakland on June 24 this week.
The franchise is currently ranked second on the MLC 2026 points table with one win and a defeat from two matches.
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