Dubai: India has lodged an official complaint with the ICC against Pakistan cricketers Haris Rauf and Sahibzada Farhan for their provocative gestures during the Asia Cup Super 4 match between the two sides last Sunday.
Sources confirm that the BCCI filed the complaint on Wednesday, and the ICC has received the email. An ICC hearing is expected if Rauf and Sahibzada deny the allegations in writing. They may have to appear before ICC Elite Panel Referee Richie Richardson.
In response, the Pakistan Cricket Board appears to have filed a complaint with the ICC against Indian skipper Suryakumar Yadav for expressing solidarity with the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack and dedicating India’s victory to the Indian Armed Forces involved in Operation Sindoor. Yadav made these remarks after the September 14 game. The PCB claims the comments were “political,” though the timing of their complaint will determine whether it falls within the ICC’s seven-day filing window.
Rauf and Sahibzada’s Gestures
During the September 21 match, Rauf made gestures mocking India’s military actions by depicting a plane being shot down. This came after Indian fans chanted “Kohli, Kohli” in reference to Virat Kohli’s match-winning sixes against Rauf at the MCG during the 2022 T20 World Cup. He also hurled abuses at Indian openers Shubman Gill and Abhishek Sharma during his bowling spell, while the batsmen responded on the field.
Sahibzada celebrated a fifty with a gun-firing gesture, using his bat as a machine gun prop—a move widely criticized. Speaking to reporters after the match, Farhan said:
“That celebration was just a moment at the time. I don’t usually celebrate much after scoring 50, but it came to my mind today. I don’t know how people will take it, and I don’t really care.”
Both players will have to explain their gestures at the ICC hearing. If they fail to satisfy the panel, they could face sanctions under the ICC Code of Conduct.
Naqvi Shares Controversial CR7 Video
Adding fuel to the fire, Asian Cricket Council chairman Mohsin Naqvi posted a slow-motion video of Cristiano Ronaldo on ‘X’ showing a gesture that resembles Rauf’s controversial “aircraft crash” gesture. Naqvi, who also serves as PCB Chairman and Pakistan’s Interior Minister, is known for making provocative statements about India.
In reality, the Ronaldo clip likely shows him explaining how a free-kick dipped into the goal. However, the post has raised questions about whether the Indian team, now Asia Cup finalists, will share a dais with the ACC Chairman.
The matter has drawn attention from both the BCCI and ICC officials, and any potential action against Naqvi remains to be seen.
