Pakistani batter Sahibzada Farhan and fast bowler Haris Rauf appeared before the ICC panel after BCCI filed a complaint to ICC over provocative gestures by both the players during the Super 4s clash of Asia Cup 2025 between India and Pakistan on September 21. During the match, Farhan performed a ‘gun fire’ celebration after completing his half-century while Haris Rauf made a ‘plane crash’ gesture with his hands and signalled 6-0 with his fingers.
After the match, the BCCI went to the ICC to file a complaint against both the Pakistani players for using provocative gestures during the match. After that, both Sahibzada Farhan and Haris Rauf were present before the ICC panel to give clarifications for their gestures. However, Farhan denied that his
celebration was not politically motivated. As reported by India Today, the Pakistani opener also took names of MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli and said that they both the Indian players have also performed these types ‘gun-like’ celebrations in the past
ICC to fine Sahibzada Farhan and Haris Rauf
In his further explanation, Sahibzada Farhan also said that he is a Pathan and the such gestures like gun firing are a part of cultural celebration for him and mostly used during joyful occasions. However, the ICC are likely to impose fines on both Farhan and Haris Rauf for making gestures that turned out to be controversial due to the tensions at the borders of India and Pakistan.
The fines could range from 50% to 100% of their match fees. Notably, India and Pakistan are set to face each other in the final of the Asia Cup 2025 at Dubai International Stadium on September 28. This will also be the first time that both the teams will face each other in an Asia Cup final its history of 41 years.
