BCCI, PCB Escalate Asia Cup Dispute to ICC Over Player Conduct

DUBAI, Sep 25: Tensions between India and Pakistan have escalated in the Asia Cup as both cricket boards have filed official complaints with the ICC over player conduct during the Super 4 match on September 21.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) lodged a formal complaint against Pakistan’s Haris Rauf and Sahibzada Farhan for provocative on-field gestures, including mimicking an aircraft crash and a gun-firing celebration. The ICC is now in receipt of the complaint, and if the players deny the allegations, a hearing before Elite Panel Referee Richie Richardson is expected. Potential sanctions under the ICC code of conduct could follow.

In response, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has reportedly filed a complaint against Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav for dedicating India’s victory to the Armed Forces involved in Operation Sindoor and expressing solidarity with the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack. PCB alleges Yadav’s comments were “political,” though the timing of the complaint will determine whether ICC action is possible within the seven-day window.

The controversy stems from the on-field events where Rauf gestured towards an imaginary plane crash in reference to India’s military action, while Sahibzada used his bat to simulate gunfire after scoring a half-century. Both actions drew widespread criticism from fans and cricket authorities. Sahibzada later described his celebration as spontaneous and said he was unconcerned about public reaction.

Adding to the fray, Asian Cricket Council (ACC) chairman Mohsin Naqvi shared a slow-motion video of Cristiano Ronaldo mimicking an aircraft crash on social media, mirroring Rauf’s gesture, which has further fueled tensions. Whether this will lead to ICC action remains uncertain.

With India now into the Asia Cup final, all eyes will be on the ICC’s handling of these complaints and whether sanctions or warnings are issued to the players involved.