Asia Cup 2025: BCCI complains against Rauf, Sahibzada to ICC over ‘provocative gestures’; Suryakumar sparks PCB wrath
India has lodged a formal complaint with the International Cricket Council (ICC) over provocative gestures made by Pakistan cricketers Haris Rauf and Sahibzada Farhan during the Asia Cup Super 4 clash last Sunday.
Sources close to PTI revealed that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) filed the complaint against the duo on Wednesday, and the ICC has acknowledged receipt of the email. An ICC hearing is expected to take place if Sahibzada and Rauf deny the allegations in writing. The players could be summoned to appear before ICC Elite Panel Referee Richie Richardson for a disciplinary hearing.
Meanwhile, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has also lodged an official complaint with the ICC against Indian skipper Suryakumar Yadav. The complaint concerns Yadav’s comments expressing solidarity with the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack and dedicating his team’s victory to the Indian Armed Forces involved in Operation Sindoor. These remarks were made following the September 14 game.
The PCB claims that Suryakumar’s comments are political. However, it remains to be seen when the complaint was officially filed, as such grievances need to be lodged within seven days of the said comments.
### The Provocative Gestures by Haris Rauf and Sahibzada Farhan
During the match on September 21, Haris Rauf made gestures depicting the bringing down of a plane, mocking India’s military action. This came after Indian supporters chanted “Kohli, Kohli,” referring to match-winning sixes hit by Indian legend Virat Kohli off Rauf at the MCG during the 2022 T20 World Cup.
Throughout the game, Rauf also hurled abuses at Indian openers Shubman Gill and Abhishek Sharma during his bowling spell. Both young players responded strongly with their batting performances.
Sahibzada Farhan, in the same match, celebrated a milestone by mimicking a gun-firing gesture using his bat as a machine gun prop. This celebration has attracted widespread criticism.
Addressing the controversy, Farhan told reporters after the match, “That celebration was just a moment at that time. I do not do a lot of celebrations after scoring 50. But, it suddenly came to my mind that let’s do a celebration today. I did that. I don’t know how people will take it. I don’t care about that.”
The ongoing exchanges highlight the heightened tensions between the two cricketing nations, and the ICC’s disciplinary proceedings will be closely watched by cricket fans around the world.
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