The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has filed an official complaint with the International Cricket Council (ICC) against Pakistan batsmen Haris Rauf and Sahibzada Farhan for on-field gestures during last Sunday’s Asia Cup Super Fours match in Dubai.
The BCCI lodged the complaint via email on Wednesday, and the ICC acknowledged receipt of it.
If Rauf and Farhan refute the claims in writing, an ICC inquiry might be scheduled, with match referee Richie Richardson likely to preside. Andy Pycroft is the other match referee assigned to the competition.
The incidences in question are said to entail Farhan’s celebration upon reaching his half-century mark and Rauf’s gestures towards a section of spectators while fielding on the boundary line. Both moments have been widely shared on social media following the contest.
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.
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