Key Points
- Haris Rauf and Suryakumar Yadav were fined 30% of their match fees for breaching the ICC Code of Conduct during a fiery Super Four clash
- Sahibzada Farhan escaped with a warning after mimicking a gunshot to celebrate his half-century
- Rauf made gestures referencing military tensions, while Suryakumar was penalised for politically sensitive post-match comments
- Both PCB and BCCI lodged complaints, leading to disciplinary hearings where the two main players were found guilty despite pleading not guilty
- All eyes now turn to Sunday’s Asia Cup final, as India and Pakistan prepare for a high-voltage rematch under tighter scrutiny
ISLAMABAD: The Asia Cup 2025 clash between arch-rivals India and Pakistan was less a cricket match and more a battlefield of nerves, with tempers igniting and passions spilling over. In the aftermath of the fiery encounter, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has moved quickly to douse the flames, at least for now. But with the two sides set to collide once more in the grand finale this Sunday, the heat is far from gone.
Pakistan fast bowler Haris Rauf and India captain Suryakumar Yadav have both been fined 30% of their match fees for breaching the ICC Code of Conduct during heated moments in the Super Four stage of the tournament. Sahibzada Farhan, meanwhile, got away with just a warning.
The drama unfolded during the September 21 Super Four match in Dubai, where tensions were already simmering after a charged group-stage encounter. Rauf drew attention for gesturing 6-0 to Indian fans and mimicking aircraft being shot down, gestures linked to past military tensions between the two nations.
Farhan, who scored a half-century in the same match, celebrated it by mimicking a gunshot, which also raised eyebrows but was ultimately deemed less serious. ICC match referee Richie Richardson issued him a warning on Friday, but no fine.
On the other side, Suryakumar Yadav was penalised for comments he made after India’s win in the group-stage game on September 14, which were interpreted as alluding to military conflict. The BCCI had appealed the decision, but the fine stands.
Both boards, PCB and BCCI, had filed official complaints against the opposing players, leading to disciplinary hearings. All three players pleaded not guilty, but Richardson found Rauf and Suryakumar guilty.
The tensions weren’t limited to off-field actions. Players from both sides clashed during the Super Four game, and India’s Abhishek Sharma later claimed Pakistan’s bowlers were “coming at us for no reason.” Adding to the drama, India reportedly refused to shake hands with Pakistan before and after the earlier group match.
Despite the flare-ups, cricket fans now look ahead to an even bigger showdown, India vs Pakistan in the Asia Cup final in Dubai on Sunday. Emotions will be high again, but this time, both teams will be under closer watch.
