NEW DELHI: The recent Super 4s clash in the Asia Cup between arch-rivals India and Pakistan has led to significant disciplinary action from the International Cricket Council (ICC). Pakistan’s fast bowler, Haris Rauf, has been fined 30 percent of his match fees due to his ‘rude and aggressive behaviour’ during the high-tension encounter.
Alongside Rauf, his teammate Sahibzada Farhan received a formal warning, though without any financial penalty, for his controversial half-century celebration. Not spared from the disciplinary hammer, India’s captain, Suryakumar Yadav, was also handed a 30 percent match fee fine. This was prompted by an explanation requested from him regarding his post-match remarks that followed the September 14 India versus Pakistan game, which led to a formal complaint from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).
The ICC concluded its disciplinary hearing this past Friday afternoon at the Pakistan team hotel, with match referee Richie Richardson presiding over the proceedings. Both players, Rauf and Farhan, appeared in person, accompanied by their team manager Naveed Akram Cheema, and had previously submitted written responses to the charges.
Sources close to the matter confirmed that both Rauf and Farhan had pleaded not guilty to the charges of provocative conduct leveled against them. However, Rauf’s actions in the stands, which included gestures seemingly mocking Indian fans about ‘falling planes’, were ultimately deemed ‘aggressive and unacceptable’, leading to his 30 percent fine. Farhan’s ‘open-air gunshot gesture’ after reaching his fifty resulted in a warning, with no financial repercussions.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) had initially lodged a formal complaint against the duo on Wednesday, highlighting both gestures as offensive and provocative during what is always a highly charged India-Pakistan contest.