The International Cricket Council (ICC) hearing of Pakistan cricketers Haris Rauf and Sahibzada Farhan for their alleged provocative gestures during the recent Asia Cup match against India was completed here on Friday. It is learnt that the two cricketers are likely to face sanctions for some of the gestures.

While Rauf is likely to be 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.

An ICC official said they are likely to be fined and given demerit points, but there will be no match ban on them. The BCCI had filed a formal complaint against them with the ICC 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 asked Indian skipper Suryakumar Yadav to refrain from making any comments that could be construed as political in nature.  The ICC is yet to come out with an official statement on the matter.

The hearing took place even as 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. The sanction can’t be ascertained. Since it falls under Level 1, it could either be a warning or a financial penalty of 15 per cent deductions in match fees. 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