Trouble has increased for Pakistani cricketers Haris Rauf and Sahibzada Farhan. The BCCI has filed a complaint with the ICC regarding their behavior during the India-Pakistan Super 4 match of the Asia Cup 2025.
The match was played in Dubai on September 21st, in which India defeated Pakistan. However, the on-field actions of both players sparked controversy.
What happened in the match?
Pakistan, batting first, scored 171/5 in 20 overs. Sahibzada Farhan played a brilliant inning of 58 runs, but India achieved the target in just 19 overs with the help of Abhishek Sharma’s quickfire 74 runs off 39 balls and Shubman Gill’s 47 runs.
Tilak Verma also ensured victory by scoring an unbeaten 30 runs. But more than the victory, the behavior of the two Pakistani players is being discussed.
BCCI Complaint and Controversy
The BCCI has objected to Sahibzada Farhan’s ‘gun celebration.’ After reaching 50, Farhan raised his bat like a gun and gestured towards the target.
Farhan later said, “That celebration was just a spur-of-the-moment thing. I rarely celebrate fifties. But when I got there, I just felt like celebrating, and I did it without knowing or caring how people would take it.
We should play aggressive cricket against any team, not just India, like we did today.”
At the same time, Haris Rauf, taking a dig at Indian fans’ chants of “Kohli, Kohli,” made a ‘drop the plane’ gesture with his hand, which was perceived as mocking India’s military action.
Rauf also had a heated argument with Abhishek Sharma and Shubman Gill. The BCCI termed this against the spirit of the game and filed a complaint on September 24, which the ICC has accepted.
Now, if Rauf and Farhan are unable to defend their behavior in writing, they may have to appear before ICC Elite Panel Referee Richie Richardson.
If they cannot justify their actions, they could face a ban or other punishment under the Code of Conduct. This matter has further escalated tensions between India and Pakistan cricket.
