India has lodged an official complaint with the International Cricket Council (ICC) against Pakistan players Haris Rauf and Sahibzada Farhan for their provocative gestures during the Asia Cup Super 4 clash in Dubai on Sunday, September 14, 2025, PTI reported.
BCCI lodges official complaint against Pakistani cricketers
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) reportedly sent the complaint on Wednesday, September 24, and ICC has reportedly acknowledged receipt.
An ICC hearing is expected if either Rauf or Farhan denies the allegations in writing. The duo may have to appear before ICC Elite Panel Referee Richie Richardson, who will decide on the next steps.
PCB lodges retaliatory complaint against India Skipper
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), in retaliation, appears to have filed a complaint against Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav as well. The PCB alleges that the Indian skipper’s post-match comments after India’s victory were “politically charged” as he expressed solidarity with victims of the Pahalgam terror attack and dedicated the win to the Indian Armed Forces involved in Operation Sindoor. The timeline for any such complaint to be officially filed is within seven days of the comment. It is yet to be confirmed exactly when PCB submitted its complaint.
Provocative gestures by Pakistani cricketers
During the September 21 Super 4 match, Haris Rauf made certain gestures mocking India’s military actions, including hand movements depicting the crash of a plane. This came after Indian fans chanted “Kohli, Kohli,” referring to match-winning sixes by Virat Kohli during the 2022 T20 World Cup at MCG. Rauf also hurled abuses at Indian openers Shubman Gill and Abhishek Sharma during his bowling spell.
In the same match, Sahibzada Farhan celebrated with a gun-firing gesture using his bat. Farhan later told reporters, “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 don’t know how people will take it. I don’t care about that.”
Both players are expected to explain their actions at the ICC hearing. If they fail to convince the panel, they could face sanctions under the ICC Code of Conduct.
Asian Cricket Council (ACC) chairman Mohsin Naqvi, who is also Pakistan’s Interior Minister, posted a slow-motion video of Cristiano Ronaldo on X showing a gesture similar to the one Rauf made on-field. Naqvi is known for making provocative statements against India, and the post has raised questions about whether Team India will share the dais with him at official ACC events.
