Experienced Pakistan speedster Haris Rauf was fined 30 per cent of his match fees by the ICC for his "abusive language and aggressive gestures" during the Super 4 match against India in the Asia Cup on September 21.
During the pulsating clash, Rauf got into a verbal altercation with Abhishek Sharma and Shubman Gill when the Indian batters were firing on all cylinders against the Pakistan bowlers. While fielding on the boundary line, Rauf was teased by Indian fans with chants of "Kohli, Kohli". The
right-arm pacer reacted to this by gesturing a plane crash, possibly ridiculing India's military operations in the aftermath of the Pahalgam attack.
Meanwhile, opening batter Sahibzada Farhan also came out with a unique celebration after reaching his fifty. He held his bat like a gun and acted like he was firing towards the sky. Farhan evaded a monetary sanction but was given a warning.
The hearing took place at the Pakistan team hotel under match referee Richie Richardson. Both players were present in person, although their statements were submitted in writing, and they were joined by team manager Naveed Akram Cheema.
"Match referee Richie Richardson had completed his hearing on Friday afternoon at the team hotel. Hars Rauf has been fined 30 per cent of his match fees for aggressive behaviour, and Farhan has been let off with a warning," a tournament source was quoted as saying by Hindustan Times on conditions of anonymity. Earlier, Rauf and Farhan had pleaded not guilty during their ICC hearing.
On Wednesday, the BCCI filed a formal complaint accusing the two of making provocative gestures. The animosity between the two teams intensified after India decided not to shake hands with the players after beating them in the group-stage clash in the Asia Cup.
Meanwhile, Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav has been reportedly asked to refrain from issuing statements that could be deemed as political. This was after Pakistan had lodged a complaint about his remarks dedicating the group-stage clash win to the Pahalgam terror victims and the Indian Armed Forces. Like Rauf and Farhan, Suryakumar had also denied the charge initially.
The arch-rivals will now face each other in the finals of the 2025 Asia Cup at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday, September 28.
