The heated rivalry between India and Pakistan has spilled off the cricket pitch and into the offices of the International Cricket Council (ICC), as the governing body has taken action against several players for a series of provocative gestures during their recent Asia Cup 2025 clash. The controversy, sparked by incidents during the Super 4s match on September 21, has resulted in fines and warnings, underscoring the ICC’s stance against behavior that breaches the spirit of the game.

Haris Rauf fined for provocative gestures against India

At the center of the controversy is Pakistan’s fast bowler, Haris Rauf. The ICC has fined Rauf 30% of his match fees following a formal complaint from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). During the high-stakes match in Dubai, Rauf was seen making gestures mimicking a crashing plane and a “6-0” sign, which were widely interpreted as politically charged and mocking India’s military. The incidents occurred after Indian fans chanted “Kohli, Kohli,” a taunt referencing Virat Kohli‘s match-winning sixes against him in the 2022 T20 World Cup. Despite pleading not guilty during the hearing, the ICC found his actions to be a clear violation of the Code of Conduct.

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Sahibzada Farhan and Suryakumar Yadav under scrutiny

The fallout from the match extends beyond Rauf. His teammate, Sahibzada Farhan, who scored a half-century, was also reprimanded by the ICC. Farhan received a warning for his controversial celebration, which involved using his bat to mimic a gun-firing gesture. Although Farhan later claimed the celebration was a spontaneous and traditional way of celebrating in his ethnic Pakhtun tribe, it drew criticism for being insensitive.

On the Indian side, captain Suryakumar Yadav was also found to be in breach of the Code of Conduct. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) lodged a complaint against him for his post-match comments after an earlier group-stage victory. Suryakumar had dedicated the win to the Indian Armed Forces involved in “Operation Sindoor” and expressed solidarity with the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack, comments the PCB deemed “political.” Suryakumar was given a formal warning by the ICC and advised to refrain from making such statements in the future.

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