NEW DELHI: The already tense atmosphere around the Asia Cup has now spilled well beyond the boundary ropes, with both the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) formally engaging the International Cricket Council (ICC) over player conduct in recent matches.Follow live score: PAK vs BAN, Asia Cup 2025At the centre of the storm is Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav, who had his hearing in front of match referee Richie Richardson today, as per ICC procedure. The captain was asked for an explanation regarding his post-match remarks after the September 14 India vs Pakistan clash triggered a formal complaint from the PCB.
TimesofIndia.com had reached out to BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia but the official did not respond to multiple messages and calls. However, it has been reliably learnt that it was a routine hearing and that there will be no major repercussions for the skipper. Business will resume as usual for Team India. Following India’s win over Pakistan on September 14, Suryakumar dedicated the victory to the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack and praised the Indian Armed Forces involved in Operation Sindoor. In his post-match presentation, he said, “Perfect occasion, taking the time out, we stand by the families of the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack. We express our solidarity… Want to dedicate the win to all our armed forces who showed a lot of bravery.” The PCB argued these statements breached ICC’s regulations on “personal messages”, which explicitly prohibit political, religious, or racial messaging unless cleared by both the national board and the ICC Cricket Operations Department. According to the rulebook, commemorative or charitable messages are more likely to be permitted, while statements aligning with a government stance are generally disallowed.The PCB, meanwhile, has lodged two separate complaints over the India–Pakistan matches on September 14 and 21, specifically targeting SKY’s conduct, which it alleges carried political undertones.
Pakistan’s Haris Rauf gestures towards spectators during the Asia Cup cricket match between India and Pakistan (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)
The controversy has not remained one-sided. The BCCI has now written to the ICC regarding the on-field behaviour of Pakistan’s Haris Rauf and Sahibzada Farhan during the September 21 match, where both players allegedly made provocative gestures. Sources suggest the complaint was filed on Wednesday, just in time to meet the seven-day deadline. If taken up, Rauf and Sahibzada could face sanctions alongside the India skipper.The row has gained further traction after Pakistan’s Interior Minister and PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi made a provocative post on social media, escalating the rhetoric. Within the ICC, there are murmurs of a possible hearing today, though no confirmation has been issued.
India–Pakistan cricket row reaches ICC
- The PCB has lodged complaints with the ICC over Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav’s post-match remarks after the September 14 clash, alleging his comments carried political undertones.
- SKY had dedicated India’s win to victims of the Pahalgam terror attack and praised the armed forces, which the PCB claims breaches ICC rules on “personal messages”.
- Match referee Richie Richardson has sought an explanation from SKY, as ICC guidelines prohibit political, religious, or racial messaging without prior clearance.
- The BCCI has countered with a complaint against Pakistan’s Haris Rauf and Sahibzada Farhan for alleged provocative gestures during the September 21 match.
- With both boards trading complaints and Pakistan’s Mohsin Naqvi amplifying tensions online, the ICC may hold a hearing soon, though no confirmation has been given.
