The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the Pakistan Cricket Board have filed complaints with the International Cricket Council, a face-off that will add to the simmering tensions between the two arch-rival teams at the on-going Asia Cup. The BCCI has complained about the on-field gestures of opener Sahibzada Farhan and fast bowler Haris Rauf. Farhan performed a ‘gun celebration’ with his bat after reaching his fifty in the Super Fours match against India on Sunday, while Rauf was seen in a video gesturing to fans while fielding on the boundary line. Rauf was also involved in a verbal exchange that involved India openers Shubman Gill and Abhishek Sharma.
“The BCCI has filed a complaint with the ICC related to Farhan’s and Rauf’s on-field gestures and behaviour,” a source told The Indian Express.
The PCB has complained about India captain Suryakumar Yadav’s post-match comments after the team’s seven-wicket win over Pakistan on September 14. Suryakumar had dedicated the win to the ‘bravery of the armed forces’ and also said that the team ‘stood with the families of victims of the Pahalgam attack’.
Indian opener Abhishek Sharma in verbal altercation with Pakistan pacer Haris Rauf. (Photo: AP)
The matches at the Asia Cup are the first between India and Pakistan since the Pahalgam terror attack in April. India launched Operation Sindoor against terror targets in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and Pakistan in May, following which both countries launched retaliatory strikes at each other for three days before suspension of hostilities.
Both captains, Suryakumar and Salman Agha have not shook hands before the toss during both the India versus Pakistan matches.
The PCB, it is understood, has filed two complaints to ICC where they have alleged that Suryakumar had damaged and tarnished the image of the game by making a political statement.
The BCCI’s complaint has been forward match referee Andy Pycroft, while the PCB’s is with the other match referee Richie Richardson.
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Umpire talks to Pakistani players during the Asia Cup cricket match between India and Pakistan at Dubai International Cricket Stadium. (Photo: AP)
The Indian Express has learnt that India captain Suryakumar will deny call charges. Players of both teams may have to appear before a hearing.
Talking after Sunday’s match, Farhan when asked about the ‘gun celebrations’ had said: “It was just a moment of the match. Generally I don’t celebrate a 50 but today something came to my mind and I did what I did. I don’t care what people think about it.”
In his post match comments after the September 14 game, Suryakumar had dedicated the win to the Indian armed forces by saying, “Perfect occasion, taking the time out, we stand by the victims of the families of Pahalgam terror attack. We express our solidarity. 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 put a smile on their face.”
The PCB had demanded the removal of match referee Pycroft claiming he had told both teams not to shake hands before the first game between India and Pakistan. The team also delayed their arrival for the game against UAE but departed for the stadium after Pycroft apologised. The PCB’s official media handle tweeted that “ICC’s controversial match referee Andy Pycroft has apologised to the Pakistan cricket team’s manager, coach and captain.”
The postBCCI lodges complaint with ICC about Pakistan players Sahibzada Farhan and fast bowler Haris Rauf; PCB complains about Suryakumar Yadav appeared first on Indian Express
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