By ABDULLAH 
The high-voltage rivalry between Pakistan and India at the Asia Cup 2025 has once again made headlines, this time off the field. Pakistan pacer Haris Rauf has been fined 30% of his match fee by the International Cricket Council (ICC), while opener Sahibzada Farhan received only a warning for their controversial gestures during the Super Four T20 match on September 21 in Dubai.
According to ICC match referee Richie Richardson, Haris Rauf responded to heckling from Indian fans by signaling “6-0” with his hands and making gestures resembling an aircraft going down. The action was widely interpreted as a reference to recent military tensions between India and Pakistan.
Sahibzada Farhan, on the other hand, celebrated his half-century with a gun-firing gesture using his bat. The move caught the eye of match officials and Indian media, though Farhan defended himself, saying it was a traditional Pashtun celebration style.
- Haris Rauf: Found guilty of breaching the ICC Code of Conduct. Fined 30% of match fees.
- Sahibzada Farhan: Let off with a warning. No financial penalty imposed.
Both players appeared in person at the ICC hearing, accompanied by team manager Naveed Akram Cheema.
The controversy escalated after the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) lodged an official complaint with the ICC regarding the gestures. At the same time, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) also filed a complaint but against Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav.
After India’s group-stage win against Pakistan on September 14, Yadav dedicated the victory to the families of victims of the Pahalgam terror attack, linking it to the Indian armed forces. The PCB argued that this amounted to political messaging, demanding the ICC impose a Level 4 sanction (the most serious category of breaches).
However, the ICC rejected Pakistan’s plea for a harsher punishment. Instead, Suryakumar Yadav was given a warning and told not to make any political statements for the rest of the tournament.
The ICC’s actions highlight the growing sensitivity around political and military references in cricket, especially in matches involving Pakistan and India. In recent years, both boards have been quick to lodge complaints when players are seen crossing the line between sportsmanship and politics.
With Pakistan’s 11-run win over Bangladesh securing them a spot in the Asia Cup 2025 Final against India on Sunday in Dubai, the tension between the two teams is only expected to rise further.
- Haris Rauf fined 30% of his match fee for aggressive gestures.
- Sahibzada Farhan only warned after explaining cultural context of his celebration.
- PCB and BCCI both filed complaints, leading to ICC action.
- Suryakumar Yadav warned for dedicating India’s earlier win to Pahalgam victims.
- The Pakistan vs India Asia Cup Final is set to be one of the most heated encounters yet.