The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has filed a complaint with the International Cricket Council (ICC) against Haris Rauf and Sahibzada Farhan. The board sent the email on Wednesday after the Asia Cup 2025 Super Four match in Dubai. It raised concerns over the Pakistani players’ gestures during the game.
Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf clashed with Indian openers Abhishek Sharma and Shubman Gill early in the innings. But the BCCI complaint focused only on Rauf and Farhan. Their actions angered the Indian board and drew heavy criticism after the match
Rauf drew attention while fielding near the boundary. He made gestures mimicking the act of bringing down a plane, which many fans saw as mocking India’s military action earlier this year. He reacted after Indian supporters chanted “Kohli, Kohli,” recalling Virat Kohli’s famous sixes off Rauf in the 2022 T20 World Cup in Melbourne.
Farhan sparked controversy with his half-century celebration. After reaching fifty, he mimicked firing a machine gun with his bat. The clip spread quickly on social media, and many called the act provocative and unsportsmanlike.
The BCCI labeled these celebrations to be ‘an act that is unacceptable’. Officials went on to say that they hope the ICC will deal with the matter promptly. If the Pakistan players deny the allegations in writing, the ICC could potentially hold a hearing in the matter to review the case and determine a course of action.
Richie Richardson, who is the second match referee in the tournament, is expected to preside over any hearing. The ICC has not backed any formal statement yet, however a spokesperson stated that the ICC would take the matter seriously because of the sensitivities of India-Pakistan matches.
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