Zahid Hashmi
Karachi: Pakistan fast bowler Haris Rauf and India captain Suryakumar Yadav have been fined 30% of their match fees for breaching the ICC Code of Conduct during the Asia Cup, following heated encounters between the two sides in Dubai. Pakistan batter Sahibzada Farhan was let off with a warning by ICC match referee Richie Richardson.
Rauf was sanctioned for making hand gestures at Indian fans during the September 21 Super Four match, including signalling “6-0” and mimicking the downing of aircraft — a move interpreted as a reference to the recent military conflict. Farhan celebrated his half-century with a gunshot gesture.
Suryakumar, meanwhile, was penalised for dedicating India’s September 14 group-stage win to the country’s armed forces. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) argued this amounted to political messaging and sought a harsher sanction, while the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) had complained against Rauf and Farhan. All three players pleaded not guilty, but the fines were upheld. India have appealed Suryakumar’s sanction.
The clashes highlighted escalating tensions between the rivals. India refused to shake hands with Pakistan before and after their September 14 match, which India won by seven wickets. That game and the Super Four encounter saw several confrontations between players on the field, with India’s Abhishek Sharma later accusing Pakistan of “coming at us for no reason.”
The controversy has also drawn political comment. Senior Indian politician Shashi Tharoor criticised India’s refusal to shake hands, saying, “Indian players shouldn’t have done what they did when the decision to play against Pakistan was taken.”
The arch-rivals will meet again in the Asia Cup final in Dubai on Sunday, their third clash of the tournament, under heightened scrutiny both on and off the field.
