Pakistan cricketers Haris Rauf and Sahibzada Farhan pleaded not guilty during their ICC hearing for allegedly provocative actions in the 2025 Asia Cup game against India on Friday, according to reports. However, though Farhan was let off with a warning Rauf was fined 30 per cent of his match fees for “abusive language and aggressive gestures” during the game against India last Sunday.
Farhan pleaded not guilty to any code of conduct violation for his gunfire celebration during the same match, claiming that it is a “traditional way of celebrating in his ethnic Pakhtun tribe” in Pakistan.
Match referee Richie Richardson conducted the hearing at Pakistan’s team hotel in Dubai.
Both players, accompanied by team manager Naveed Akram Cheema, appeared before him in person, although their responses were provided in writing.
Pakistan too had filed a complaint against India skipper Suryakumar Yadav for making political comments after he dedicated his team’s win over the arch foes on September 14 to the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack and the Indian Armed Forces.
The Mumbai cricketer pleaded not guilty to the charge but was told to refrain from making any statement that could be construed as political in the remainder of the tournament.
The ICC is yet to come out with an official statement on the matter.
Tensions between India and Pakistan have been running high, starting with Indian cricketers’ refusal to shake hands with Pakistani counterparts at toss.
The two sides will meet for the third time in the ongoing Asia Cup, in the summit clash, at the Dubai International Stadium on September 28.
“Surya attended the ICC hearing today. He was accompanied by BCCI’s COO and Cricket Operations Manager. Richardson explained to him that he shouldn’t be making any comments that could be seen as political in nature. The sanction can’t be ascertained. Since it falls under Level 1, it could either be a warning or a financial penalty of 15 percent deductions in match fees,” a tournament source privy to the details told PTI on conditions of anonymity.
