India Vs Pakistan Asia Cup 2025: AI-Generated Image Falsely Shared As Proof Of ‘Biased Umpiring’

A viral image claiming that Pakistani batter Fakhar Zaman was wrongly given out during the India vs Pakistan Asia Cup 2025 clash on Sunday (September) has sparked heated online debate. The image suggests the ball had touched the ground before Team India’s wicketkeeper Sanju Samson completed the catch. “Fakhar Zaman was clearly NOT out! The keeper never carried the ball — yet the 3rd umpire cooked up this disgrace of a decision,” reads one such X post, implying that the umpiring was biased towards India. 

However, a fact-check reveals that the “evidence” of biased umpiring is actually an AI-generated image, not genuine footage from the match.

Evidence

1. Distorted Details Indicate AI Manipulation

The viral image shows the cricket ball merging unnaturally with the gloves and appearing unusually distorted. Also, instead of resembling a cricket ball, the curved seam structure closely matches that of a baseball, raising immediate suspicion.

A comparison of the viral image (left) with a baseball (top right) and a white cricket ball (bottom right). Picture courtesy: Baden Sports, SCS Sports

2. Absent in Credible Match Reports

The image does not appear in any legitimate media coverage of the September 21 match. Reports from Hindustan Times and other outlets only highlight the official third umpire review, which confirmed that Sanju Samson’s catch was clean.

3. AI Detection Tools Confirm Fake Origin

The image was tested on multiple AI-detection platforms:

• Hive Moderation: 94% likely AI-generated.
  
• SightEngine: 92% likely AI-generated.
  
• Undetectable AI: Also flagged the content as AI-created.
  

These independent assessments strongly support that the viral image is not genuine.

Also Read: Old, Unrelated Video Falsely Shared As Singer Zubeen Garg’s ‘Last Moments’ During Scuba Diving Accident

Verdict

The image being circulated on social media as evidence of alleged biased umpiring in the India vs Pakistan Asia Cup 2025 clash is AI-generated.

FAQs

Q1. Is the viral image of the ball touching the ground real?
No. The viral image is AI-generated and does not appear in any official broadcast or credible report.

Q2. How can we tell the image is fake?
The ball resembles a baseball, the picture shows unnatural blending into gloves, and AI-detection tools flagged it as manipulated.

Q3. What tools were used to verify the image?
Hive Moderation, SightEngine, and Undetectable AI, all confirmed it was likely AI-generated.

Sources
Image analysis
Hive Moderation tool
SightEngine tool
Undetectable AI tool