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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.
Reliable sources indicate that a complaint was filed via email on Wednesday regarding the on-field gestures of Pakistan players during the tense Asia Cup 2025 Super Four match in Dubai.
These incidents have since ignited widespread discussion on social media.
The September 21 fixture, the second meeting between the arch-rivals in this year’s tournament, saw several heated moments between players on both sides.
Pakistan pacers Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf exchanged words with India’s opening pair of Abhishek Sharma and Shubman Gill. However, the BCCI’s complaint specifically names Rauf and Farhan.
Rauf attracted attention while fielding near the boundary as he made gestures that depicted the action of bringing down a plane. This was interpreted as a mockery of India’s military action earlier this year.
He performed these gestures in response to Indian fans chanting “Kohli, Kohli,” referring to Virat Kohli’s famous sixes off Rauf during the 2022 T20 World Cup in Melbourne.
Farhan, meanwhile, came under scrutiny for his unique half-century celebration, in which he mimicked firing a machine gun with his bat. The gesture was widely criticized as provocative.
If the two Pakistan players deny the allegations in writing, an ICC hearing may be convened to review the matter. The second match referee in the tournament, Richie Richardson, is expected to oversee proceedings.
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