India have officially complained to the ICC about Pakistan players Haris Rauf and Sahibzada Farhan. The complaint concerns their provocative gestures during the Asia Cup Super 4 match in Dubai last Sunday.
The BCCI filed the complaint on Wednesday. The ICC has confirmed receiving the email. If Rauf and Sahibzada deny the allegations in writing, a hearing will be arranged. They may have to appear before ICC Elite Panel Referee Richie Richardson.
In response, the Pakistan Cricket Board appears to have filed a complaint against Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav. The PCB objected to his comments supporting the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack and dedicating India’s win to the Indian Armed Forces. Yadav made the comments after India’s game on September 14. The PCB said his remarks were “political.” However, it is unclear when exactly the complaint was filed, as such complaints must be submitted within seven days of the comment.
During the September 21 match, Rauf made gestures mocking India’s military action. He appeared to signal the downing of a plane after Indian fans chanted “Kohli, Kohli.” The chant referred to two match-winning sixes Virat Kohli hit off Rauf during the 2022 T20 World Cup at the MCG. Rauf also abused Indian openers Shubman Gill and Abhishek Sharma while bowling. Both players responded with their batting.
Sahibzada celebrated with a gun-firing gesture, using his bat as a machine gun. This act received widespread criticism.
Adding to the controversy, Asian Cricket Council chairman Mohsin Naqvi posted a slow-motion video of Cristiano Ronaldo on social media. The video showed Ronaldo gesturing as if a plane had crashed, similar to Rauf’s on-field gestures.
Naqvi, who is also Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman and serves as the country’s Interior Minister, is known for making provocative statements against India.
