NEW DELHI: Pakistan cricketers Haris Rauf and Sahibzada Farhan pleaded not guilty during their ICC hearing on Friday over allegedly provocative actions in the Asia Cup clash against India, though sanctions are expected for some of their gestures, according to tournament sources.
Rauf is reportedly set to be fined for 'abusive language and aggressive gestures' during the match last Sunday.
Farhan, meanwhile, has denied any code of conduct violation for his gun-fire celebration, describing it as a 'traditional way of celebrating in his ethnic Pakhtun tribe' in Pakistan.
🚨THE BCCI LODGES COMPLAINT🚨
— Richard Kettleborough (@RichKettle07) September 25, 2025
- The BCCI has lodged an official complaint against Haris Rauf & Sahibzada Farhan
- The BCCI demands strict actions from the match referee Andy Pycroft against both for provocative behaviour
- What's your take🤔 #INDvPAK pic.twitter.com/XkeDWtKA9R
The hearing was conducted by match referee Richie Richardson at the Pakistan team hotel in Dubai. Both players appeared in person, although their responses were submitted in writing. They were accompanied by team manager Naveed Akram Cheema.
"They are likely to be fined and given demerit points but there will be no match ban on either of the two," a tournament source told PTI.
The two were accused of making provocative gestures by the BCCI in a formal complaint on Wednesday. The bitter neighbours are due to clash in the final of the regional showpiece on Sunday.
While Rauf had mocked the Indian fans in the stands by gesturing about falling planes, Farhan's celebration after his half century in the game was also seen as offensive by the Indian side.
Bumrah is a very potent bowler but not against Sahibzada FARHAN pic.twitter.com/rdaILNBR7C
— A. (@Ahmadridismo) September 21, 2025
Pakistan too had filed a complaint against India captain Suryakumar Yadav for making political comments after he dedicated his team's win over the arch foes on September 14 to the victims of Pahalgam terror attack and the Indian Armed Forces.
Suryakumar pleaded not guilty to the charge but was apparently told not to make any statement that could be construed as political in the remainder of the tournament.
The ICC is yet to come out with an official statement on the matter.
Tensions between the two sides have been running high starting with India's refusal to do a traditional handshake with Pakistani players at the time of toss and after the games as a gesture of solidarity with the Pahalgam victims.
Twenty six people were killed in the attack that was carried out by Pakistan-backed terrorists in April this year.
In retaliation, India launched Operation Sindoor in May to destroy terror infrastructure in Pakistan.
(With PTI Inputs)