New Delhi: The International Cricket Council (ICC) has scheduled formal disciplinary hearings for Thursday, September 25, 2025, to consider complaints lodged by both the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) arising from incidents during the Asia Cup.
The BCCI has formally complained to the ICC about Pakistan players Haris Rauf and Sahibzada Farhan, accusing them of provocative on-field gestures during the Super Four clash in Dubai. The complaint — filed by email and now acknowledged by the ICC — centres on Rauf’s gestures toward spectators and Farhan’s celebration after reaching a half-century.
According to reports, the BCCI’s submission points to two specific incidents: Farhan allegedly mimicking a gun-firing celebration with his bat after scoring fifty, and Rauf making a fighter-jet/“crash”-style gesture and other provocative motions aimed toward sections of the crowd. The BCCI says those actions crossed the line of acceptable behaviour under the ICC code.
Match referees have been named to hear the separate matters: Andy Pycroft is reported to be presiding over the BCCI’s case concerning Rauf and Farhan, while Richie Richardson, of the ICC Elite Panel, will adjudicate the PCB’s complaint against India’s players.
The PCB has filed a counter-complaint against India captain Suryakumar Yadav, objecting to post-match remarks in which he dedicated India’s earlier victory to victims of the Pahalgam terror attack and referenced the armed forces — comments the PCB says carried political overtones and breached the code of conduct. Both boards’ submissions will therefore be examined at the separate hearings.
India assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate has defended his players’ composure in the aftermath, saying, “Let me first say, the amount of pressure that’s been heaped on the players because of the situation, it’s very difficult to control their behaviour.” He added that India were proud of how their players carried themselves on the field.
The ICC’s decision to hold hearings on September 25 comes with the Asia Cup final looming on September 28 — meaning any sanctions or findings could be concluded (or at least issued) before the tournament’s climax. The players involved face outcomes under the ICC Code of Conduct if found guilty, from fines to potential match bans depending on the level of breach identified.
