Asia Cup 2025: BCCI complains to ICC against Pakistan players provocative gestures, PCB retaliates with protest against SKY

PTC News Desk: India has lodged a formal complaint with the ICC against Pakistan players Haris Rauf and Sahibzada Farhan over their provocative gestures during the Asia Cup Super 4 clash last Sunday. Sources confirmed that the BCCI filed the complaint on Wednesday, and the ICC has acknowledged receiving it. If Rauf and Farhan deny the allegations in writing, a hearing will be scheduled before ICC Elite Panel referee Richie Richardson.

In response, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has reportedly submitted its own complaint to the ICC against Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav. The PCB claims his post-match comments—dedicating India’s September 14 victory to victims of the Pahalgam terror attack and to the Indian Armed Forces engaged in Operation Sindoor—were “political.” The timing of the PCB’s complaint will be important since such objections must be filed within seven days of the statement.

Details of Rauf and Farhan’s gestures

On September 21, Rauf allegedly mocked India’s military operations by mimicking a plane being shot down after Indian fans taunted him with “Kohli, Kohli” chants, recalling Virat Kohli’s iconic sixes off him in the 2022 T20 World Cup. He also hurled verbal abuses at Indian openers Shubman Gill and Abhishek Sharma, who responded with strong performances.

Farhan, during the same game, celebrated by pretending to fire a machine gun with his bat—an act that drew widespread criticism. Defending himself later, he told reporters, “It was just something that came to mind at the moment. I don’t usually celebrate after scoring 50, but I thought of doing it that day. How people take it doesn’t matter to me.”

Both players are now required to justify their actions before the ICC. If their explanations are deemed unsatisfactory, they could face disciplinary action under the ICC Code of Conduct.