Even before the high-voltage Asia Cup final between India and Pakistan, tensions have escalated due to an off-field incident. The International Cricket Council (ICC) has fined two key players from both teams for breaching the code of conduct.
Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav faced punishment for making political remarks, while Pakistani pacer Haris Rauf was penalized for aggressive behavior. However, another accused player, Sahibzada Farhan, was let off with a warning.
According to ESPN Cricinfo, a hearing was held in Dubai regarding the complaints against the three Indian and Pakistani cricketers. After the hearing, ICC match referee Richie Richardson fined Suryakumar and Rauf 30 percent of their match fees.
The fines were imposed for incidents from two separate matches. Following India’s match against Pakistan in Dubai on September 14, Suryakumar dedicated his team’s victory to the Indian armed forces during the press conference. Since he referenced a four-day military conflict between India and Pakistan in May, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) lodged a complaint against him.
On the other hand, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) filed complaints against Rauf and Farhan. During the Super Four match of the Asia Cup on September 21, Rauf gestured ‘6–0’ with his fingers towards Indian fans and made a gesture mimicking the shooting down of an aircraft, which Indian social media users claimed was a mockery of their armed forces.
In the same match, after completing his fifty, Pakistani opener Farhan mimicked firing a gun using his bat.
Since the accused players did not plead guilty, a hearing took place in Dubai today. They presented their defenses, but it appears the ICC did not find the arguments from Suryakumar and Rauf satisfactory, as reflected in the verdict.
Meanwhile, ESPN Cricinfo reported that the BCCI has appealed against the fine imposed on Suryakumar for the Level One offense.
However, it is not yet confirmed whether the appeal has been heard or when it will be.
India and Pakistan will face off in the Asia Cup final tomorrow, Sunday (September 28). This will be the first time in the tournament’s history that the two teams meet in the final. It will also be their third encounter in the ongoing Asia Cup.
