Claim: A video shows Indian spectators chanting “Qaidi [Prisoner] Number 804” during the India vs. Pakistan match at the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 in Dubai.
Fact: The video is dubbed. The original clip shows spectators chanting, “Jeetay ga bhai jeetay ga, India jeetay ga”.
Following the India-Pakistan match on 23 February 2025, social media users, who appear to be PTI supporters, began sharing a video (archive) of Indian spectators with the text: “انڈین شائقین بھی عمران خان کے دیوانے نکلے”
[Translation: Even Indian fans turned out to be crazy about Imran Khan.]
In the video, people can be heard chanting “Sab ka jigri, sab ka yaar; Qaidi Number 804. Na woh baaghi, na ghaddar; Qaidi Number 804.”
[Translation: Everyone’s close friend, everyone’s buddy; Prisoner Number 804. Neither a rebel nor a traitor; Prisoner Number 804.]
The same clip was also shared (archive) with the text: “میچ جائے بھاڑ میں، قیدی نمبر 804 کے فین دیکھو”
[Translation: To hell with the match, look at the fans of Prisoner Number 804]
India vs. Pakistan
Pakistan and India faced each other on 23 February 2025 in Dubai for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Before this, the two teams faced each other in a major ICC 50-over match during the 2023 World Cup, where India secured an easy win. Their clash in Dubai promised a different atmosphere, with a large crowd expected due to the significant Indian and Pakistani populations in the UAE.
Read more: Did crowd chant “Qaidi Number 804” to Babar Azam at National Stadium Karachi?
Historically, Pakistan has had a strong ODI record in the UAE, particularly in Sharjah, but India has dominated in recent years. Experts argued that past performances may not be relevant, as Pakistan’s current team lacks consistency. India entered the tournament in strong form, having won their opener against Bangladesh, led by Shubman Gill’s century and Mohammed Shami’s five-wicket haul. Pakistan, on the other hand, was inconsistent and suffered a 60-run defeat to New Zealand.
Fact or Fiction?
The claim appeared suspicious as the Dubai International Cricket Stadium had enforced strict rules for spectators against any political sloganeering at the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Days before the match, Geo News reported that large signs were placed at ticket counters and public parking areas near the stadium reminding spectators that cricket is a game, not a political rally. The report added that the message was clear: “Leave political ideas, slogans, posters, and banners at home.”
According to Travels Dubai, a website that keeps travelers to Dubai informed about hospitality, education, immigration, and more in the region, stated that in addition to banning political banners, posters, and slogans, the stadium issued a comprehensive list of prohibited items to ensure a safe environment. Fans were not allowed to bring weapons, knives, explosives, flammable materials, glass bottles, cans, alcohol, drugs, or any illegal substances. Additionally, large flags, banners, signs obstructing views, professional cameras, tripods, and recording devices were also restricted.
Soch Fact Check conducted a keyword search to check for any news reports about Indian or Pakistani fans chanting in favour of Imran Khan during the match but did not find any such reports. However, we cannot ascertain whether fans chanted any slogans in favour of PTI or Imran Khan during the entirety of the match. Given that any attempt to display politically motivated content could lead to confiscation and possible ejection from the venue, it is unlikely that spectators chanted “Qaidi Number 804.”
More importantly, we noted that the video in question does not appear authentic. The spectators’ lip movements do not align with the sound of slogans in the video. Except for one male spectator standing in the back, the video largely features female spectators, but the voices are predominantly male which further made us doubt the authenticity of the audio.
Then, we reverse-searched the keyframes of the video and found the original version (archive) on YouTube. In this clip, spectators can be heard chanting “Jeetay ga bhai jeetay ga, India jeetay ga” [Will win, brother, will win. India will win]. What follows is unintelligible, but it appears to sound like “Bharat” and not Qaidi Number 804.
Soch Fact Check, thus, concludes that the video showing Indian spectators chanting slogans in favour of Imran Khan at Dubai International Cricket Stadium is dubbed.
Virality
The video was shared here, here, and here on Facebook. Archived here, here, and here.
On TikTok, it was shared here.
It was also shared here (archive) and here (archive) on YouTube.
Conclusion: The clip has been dubbed. The original video shows spectators chanting in support of the Indian cricket team. Additionally, it is unlikely that spectators chanted any political slogans during the match as the Dubai International Cricket Stadium had enforced strict rules prohibiting political slogans, banners, and posters.
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Background image in cover photo: AFP
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