Asia Cup 2025: BCCI lodges complaint against Haris Rauf and Sahibzada Farhan

Asia Cup 2025: BCCI lodges complaint against Haris Rauf and Sahibzada Farhan. (Photo source: Getty Images)

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has lodged an official complaint with the International Cricket Council (ICC) against Pakistan cricketers Haris Rauf and Sahibzada Farhan for their on-field gestures during the Asia Cup Super Fours clash in Dubai last Sunday.

As per ESPNcricinfo, the BCCI filed the complaint via email on Wednesday, and the ICC has acknowledged receipt of it. Should Rauf and Farhan deny the allegations in writing, an ICC hearing may be convened, with match referee Richie Richardson likely to preside. Andy Pycroft is the other match referee appointed for the tournament.

The incidents in question reportedly involve Farhan’s celebration upon reaching his half-century and Rauf’s gestures towards a section of fans while fielding on the boundary line. Both moments have been widely circulated on social media since the match.

In an unconfirmed development, it is also understood that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has filed a counter-complaint with the ICC against Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav. Yadav had dedicated India’s victory over Pakistan in the first round on September 14 to the families of the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack in April this year, a move that sparked further tensions given the sensitive nature of cross-border relations.

“Want to dedicate the win to all our armed forces who showed a lot of bravery. Hope they continue to inspire us all, and we give them more reasons on the ground whenever we get an opportunity to make them smile,” Suryakumar said in the presentation ceremony.

This fixture also attracted attention for incidents both before and after the game. At the toss, the two captains did not shake hands, and the players refrained from exchanging customary greetings at the end of the match.

The episode, dubbed ‘handshake-gate,’ has since remained a talking point throughout the continental tournament. The PCB has further alleged that Yadav’s post-match remarks carried political undertones.

The second meeting between the arch-rivals during the tournament was marked by several heated exchanges on the field. Notably, Pakistan fast bowlers Shaheen Shah Afridi and Rauf engaged in verbal duels with Indian openers Abhishek Sharma and Shubman Gill.

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