Dubai, Sept 25: India has lodged an official complaint with the ICC against Pakistan cricketers Haris Rauf and Sahibzada Farhan for provocative on-field gestures during the Asia Cup Super 4 match on Sunday, prompting a retaliatory complaint from Pakistan against Indian skipper Suryakumar Yadav.
The BCCI filed its complaint on Wednesday, and the ICC has acknowledged receipt, sources confirmed. If Rauf and Farhan deny the allegations in writing, they may face a hearing before ICC Elite Panel Referee Richie Richardson.
Rauf allegedly mocked India’s military action by gesturing the bringing down of a plane after Indian fans chanted “Kohli, Kohli,” while also abusing Indian openers Shubman Gill and Abhishek Sharma. Farhan celebrated a fifty with a machine-gun firing gesture, which drew widespread criticism. “It was just a moment,” Farhan later said, dismissing the controversy.
In response, the Pakistan Cricket Board reportedly complained against Suryakumar Yadav, accusing him of making “political” remarks by dedicating India’s September 14 victory to the armed forces after the Pahalgam terror attack. The timing of the PCB’s complaint, which must be filed within seven days, remains unclear.
Adding to tensions, ACC chairman and PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi — also Pakistan’s Interior Minister — shared a video of footballer Cristiano Ronaldo making an arm gesture resembling a plane crash, echoing Rauf’s actions. The post has raised further questions over his conduct.
Both complaints are under ICC consideration, and sanctions could follow if the players fail to justify their actions. Meanwhile, India has advanced to the Asia Cup final, but whether the team will share the stage with Naqvi during the closing ceremony remains uncertain.(Agencies)
