Dubai: India has lodged an official complaint with the ICC against Pakistan cricketers Haris Rauf and Sahibzada Farhan for provocative gestures during the Asia Cup Super 4 match here last Sunday.

The BCCI reportedly filed the complaint on Wednesday, and the ICC has acknowledged receipt of the e-mail. An ICC hearing may be held if Rauf and Sahibzada deny the allegations in writing. They could be required to appear before ICC Elite Panel Referee Richie Richardson.

Retaliatory PCB complaint

In a counter-move, the Pakistan Cricket Board appears to have lodged a complaint with the ICC against Indian skipper Suryakumar Yadav for expressing solidarity with victims of the Pahalgam terror attack and dedicating India’s victory to the Armed Forces involved in Operation Sindoor. PCB alleges that Surya’s comments were “political,” although it is yet to be verified when the complaint was officially filed, which must occur within seven days of the statement.

Rauf and Sahibzada gestures

During the September 21 match, Rauf reportedly mimicked bringing down a plane to mock India’s military action, after Indian supporters chanted “Kohli, Kohli” in reference to Virat Kohli’s sixes against him during a T20 World Cup game in 2022. He also hurled abuses at Indian openers Shubman Gill and Abhishek Sharma during his bowling spell.

Sahibzada celebrated a fifty with a gun-firing gesture, using his bat as a machine gun prop, which drew widespread criticism.

“That celebration was just a moment at that time. I do not do a lot of celebrations after scoring 50. But, it suddenly came to my mind that let's do a celebration today. I did that. I don't know how people will take it. I don't care about that,” Farhan told reporters after the match.

Both players will have to explain their gestures at the ICC hearing and could face sanctions under the code of conduct if unable to justify their actions.

Naqvi fuels controversy

Adding to tensions, Asian Cricket Council chairman Mohsin Naqvi posted a slow-motion video of Cristiano Ronaldo on ‘X’ showing the footballer gesturing that an aircraft suddenly crashed—mirroring Rauf’s on-field gesture. Naqvi, also Pakistan Cricket Board chairman and the country’s “Interior Minister,” is known for provocative statements against India.

Ronaldo’s gesture, however, may simply depict how his free-kick dipped and entered the goal. Whether the Indian team, now Asia Cup finalists, will share a dais with Naqvi remains uncertain.

The issue has drawn attention from both BCCI and ICC officials, and it remains to be seen if any action will be taken against Naqvi.