Pakistan fast bowler Haris Rauf was fined 30 per cent of his match fee on Friday for rude and aggressive behaviour during the Asia Cup Super 4 match against India last Sunday. His teammate Sahibzada Farhan, however, escaped with a warning without any financial penalty for his gunshot celebration after reaching his half century in the same match.
The decision was taken after the International Cricket Council (ICC) hearing of Rauf and Farhan for their alleged provocative gestures, here on Friday.
While Rauf was fined for "abusive language and aggressive gestures" during the game against India last Sunday, Farhan has pleaded not guilty of any code of conduct violation for his gunfire celebration, claiming that it is a "traditional way of celebrating in his ethnic Pakhtun tribe" in Pakistan.
The hearing was conducted by match referee Richie Richardson at the Pakistan team hotel here. Both the players appeared before him in person, although the responses given by them were in writing. They were accompanied by team manager Naveed Akram Cheema.
The BCCI had filed a formal complaint with the ICC against the two Pakistani players on Wednesday. While Rauf had mocked the Indian fans in the stands by gesturing about falling planes, Farhan's celebration after his half century was also seen as offensive by the Indian side.
Indian skipper told to avoid political comments
Meanwhile, during an official hearing by the ICC on a complaint filed by the Pakistan Cricket Board, ICC match referee Richie Richardson also fined Indian skipper Suryakumar Yadav 30 per cent of the match fee and asked him to refrain from making any comments that could be construed as political in nature. India has appealed against the verdict.
The hearing took place after the India captain had “pleaded” not guilty for his post-match comments, where he had dedicated India’s victory to the Indian armed forces involved in Operation Sindoor and shown solidarity with the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack.
It is understood that the PCB had filed the complaint within the stipulated seven-day period after the September 14 game between India and Pakistan, where Suryakumar had made these comments at both the prize distribution ceremony and the media conference that followed. He had also refused to shake hands with his Pakistan counterpart.
"Suryakumar attended the ICC hearing today. He was accompanied by BCCI's Chief Operating Officer and Cricket Operations Manager. Surya had plead not guilty and that's why the hearing took place,” said a BCCI official.
Also read: BCCI calls for ICC action against Rauf, Sahibzada
Follow us
