Asia Cup 2025 is now heading towards its final stage, but tensions between the Indian Cricket Board (BCCI) and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) have flared again over recent incidents. Both boards have filed complaints against each other and approached the International Cricket Council (ICC).
India has lodged an official complaint with the ICC against Pakistan players Haris Rauf and Sahibzada Farhan for making provocative gestures during the Asia Cup Super-4 match. This match was played in Dubai last Sunday (21 September).
According to sources, BCCI filed the complaint on Wednesday, and the ICC has already received the email. If Rauf and Farhan deny the allegations, they may be required to appear before ICC Elite Panel Referee Richie Richardson for a hearing. The referee will decide whether any action should be taken against them.
PCB Files Complaint Against Suryakumar
In response to BCCI’s complaint, PCB has filed a grievance against Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav. After the match on 14 September, Suryakumar expressed condolences for victims of the Pahalgam terrorist attack and dedicated India’s victory to the armed forces involved in “Operation Sindoor.” PCB claims that his statement was “political.” It remains to be seen whether PCB filed this complaint within the seven-day time limit.
Offensive Gestures by Rauf and Farhan
During the Super-4 match on 21 September, Haris Rauf made a gesture that appeared to mimic an aircraft being shot down, seemingly mocking India’s military operations. This came as Indian fans chanted “Kohli, Kohli.” In the 2022 T20 World Cup, Virat Kohli had hit two sixes off Rauf’s bowling. During the match, Rauf also verbally abused Indian openers Shubman Gill and Abhishek Sharma, who responded with their batting.
Sahibzada Farhan celebrated his half-century with a “gun-firing” gesture, turning his bat into an imaginary machine gun. His celebration went viral, attracting significant trolling. Farhan later defended his actions, saying, “The celebration just came to my mind at the moment. I usually don’t celebrate much. I thought of doing something different. I did it, and I don’t care how people take it.”
Both players will now have to justify their actions in an ICC hearing. If the panel is not satisfied with their explanation, they could face penalties under the code of conduct.
Naqvi Shares ‘CR7’ Video
Meanwhile, Mohsin Naqvi, Chairman of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) and Pakistan’s Interior Minister, posted a slow-motion video of Cristiano Ronaldo on ‘X’ (formerly Twitter) showing a gesture similar to Rauf’s during the match — as if a plane was being shot down. Naqvi often makes provocative statements against India. However, in the video, Ronaldo appears to be showing how his free kick dipped into the goal.
It remains to be seen whether India’s team, now qualified for the Asia Cup final, will share a stage with the ACC Chairman. The matter is under close scrutiny by both BCCI and ICC officials, and in the coming days, it will be clear whether any action will be taken against Naqvi.