India has filed an official complaint with the ICC against Pakistan cricketers Haris Rauf and Sahibzada Farhan. The complaint follows provocative gestures they made during the Asia Cup Super 4 game in Dubai last Sunday. The BCCI confirmed it lodged the complaint on Wednesday, and the ICC has received it.
If Rauf or Farhan deny the allegations in writing, an ICC hearing may take place. They could have to appear before Elite Panel Referee Richie Richardson. The players must explain their actions, or they could face sanctions under the ICC code of conduct.
During the September 21 match, Rauf made gestures mocking India’s military action after fans chanted Virat Kohli’s name. He also hurled abuses at Indian openers Shubman Gill and Abhishek Sharma. Sahibzada celebrated with a gun-firing gesture using his bat, which drew widespread criticism. Farhan later said the gesture was spontaneous and he did not care how people reacted.
In retaliation, the Pakistan Cricket Board filed a complaint against Indian skipper Suryakumar Yadav for dedicating India’s victory to the armed forces. ACC Chairman Mohsin Naqvi further fueled tensions by posting a controversial video of Cristiano Ronaldo mimicking a plane crash gesture, similar to Rauf’s on-field actions.
The BCCI and ICC are monitoring the situation closely. Any action against the players—or Naqvi—will depend on the ICC’s decisions in the coming days.
