Following the heated Asia Cup Super Four match between India and Pakistan on September 21, 2025, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has filed an official complaint with the International Cricket Council (ICC) regarding the conduct of Pakistani cricketers Haris Rauf and Sahibzada Farhan. The complaint centers around what the BCCI deems "provocative gestures" made by the players during the match.

Sahibzada Farhan's actions under scrutiny involve his celebration after reaching his half-century, where he mimicked firing a gun with his bat. This gesture was perceived by many as insensitive and provocative, drawing criticism from fans and officials. Farhan, however, has defended his actions, stating, "It suddenly came to my mind... I don't care how people take it".

Haris Rauf's behavior has also come under the scanner. After dismissing Sanju Samson, Rauf displayed visible aggression. Furthermore, while fielding near the boundary, Rauf responded to chants of "Kohli, Kohli" from Indian fans – a reference to Virat Kohli's sixes against him in the 2022 T20 World Cup – by gesturing a "6-0" with his fingers. This was interpreted as a reference to Pakistan's claim of shooting down six Indian fighter jets during Operation Sindoor, a military operation earlier this year, further escalating tensions. Rauf also seemingly repeated the gesture after dismissing Sanju Samson. Additionally, Rauf reportedly directed offensive language towards Indian openers Shubman Gill and Abhishek Sharma.

The BCCI's complaint, submitted via email on Wednesday, includes video footage as evidence and urges the ICC to take strict disciplinary action against both players. The Indian team has demanded strict action, asserting that their conduct crossed the line of acceptable on-field behavior. The complaint also highlights Rauf's confrontation with Indian openers Abhishek Sharma and Shubman Gill, considering them intentional acts of provocation.

According to reports, the Indian camp has labeled Rauf and Farhan's behavior as "provocative and indecent". They believe the players' actions were deliberate and exceeded the bounds of sportsmanship.

Ryan ten Doeschate, India's assistant coach, acknowledged the immense pressure players face in such high-stakes matches but refrained from commenting directly on Rauf's gestures. "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 your behaviour," he stated. He added, "I did see some of the things Haris did and that's not our concern".

In response to the BCCI's complaint, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has reportedly filed a counter-complaint against Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav. The PCB alleges that Yadav's post-match comments on September 14, where he dedicated India's victory to the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack and expressed solidarity with the armed forces, were "political" in nature. The PCB argues that these remarks violate ICC rules against personal messages.

The ICC has acknowledged receipt of the complaints. If Rauf and Farhan deny the charges in writing, they may face a formal hearing before ICC Elite Panel Referee Richie Richardson. The players could face sanctions under the ICC's Code of Conduct if they fail to provide satisfactory justification for their actions.

These incidents have further strained the already tense relationship between the two cricketing boards. This controversy follows previous complaints from the PCB regarding Suryakumar Yadav's remarks and India's refusal to shake hands with the Pakistani team after their encounters.