DUBAI, September 25, 2025 : The India-Pakistan cricket rivalry has taken a new turn off the field after the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) lodged an official complaint with the ICC against Pakistani players Haris Rauf and Sahibzada Farhan for “provocative gestures” during the Asia Cup Super 4 clash in Dubai last Sunday.
🔹 BCCI Complaint:
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Rauf allegedly made gestures mimicking the bringing down of an aircraft, mocking India’s military action.
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He was also caught on camera abusing Indian openers Shubman Gill and Abhishek Sharma.
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Sahibzada Farhan, after scoring a half-century, celebrated with a “gun-firing gesture” using his bat — an act widely criticised.
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Both players may have to appear before ICC Elite Panel Referee Richie Richardson if they deny the allegations.
🔹 PCB’s Retaliation:
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In response, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has reportedly filed a complaint against Indian skipper Suryakumar Yadav, accusing him of making “political comments.”
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Surya had dedicated India’s victory (Sept 14) to victims of the Pahalgam terror attack and the Armed Forces involved in Operation Sindoor.
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PCB claims the remarks breach ICC’s neutrality code, though the timing of the complaint — which must be filed within 7 days — is under scrutiny.
🔹 Growing Tensions:
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Asian Cricket Council (ACC) Chairman and PCB Chief Mohsin Naqvi escalated matters further by posting a slow-motion video of Cristiano Ronaldo mimicking an aircraft dip, paralleling Rauf’s on-field gesture.
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Naqvi, also Pakistan’s Interior Minister, is known for provocative statements against India, raising questions about neutrality in his ACC role.
With India already through to the Asia Cup final, the spotlight is now on how ICC responds to the complaints and whether any sanctions will be imposed.
