Haris Rauf backtracks at ICC hearing ahead of India vs Pakistan Asia Cup final: Reports
Haris Rauf was quite clear and bold while making offensive gestures during the India vs Pakistan Super 4 match. While Pakistan stood no chance against the arch-rivals in the contest, Rauf was rarely perturbed by his team's shortcomings as he showcased his classless antics. After engaging in a heated spat with Abhishek Sharma and Shubman Gill in the chase, Rauf returned to the boundary line, only to escalate his derogatory actions. The Pakistan cricketer made 6-0 gestures and showed planes going down in a crash with his hands, directly taking a jab at the Indian armed forces with his false narrative of the action that went down during Operation Sindoor. Now, with the India vs Pakistan Asia Cup final lined-up ahead, the pacer has pleaded not guilty, defending his actions during the ICC hearing.
Haris Rauf, Sahibzada Farhan plead not guilty in the ICC hearing ahead of the India vs Pakistan Asia Cup final
As expressive as Haris Rauf acted in the India vs Pakistan Super 4 match, the pacer was not as bold in front of ICC referee Richie Richardson during the hearing ahead of the Asia Cup final. The BCCI filed an official complaint against Rauf and his teammate Sahibzada Farhan with the ICC. Farhan had followed the completion of his half-century with a gun celebration during the first innings of the Asia Cup 2025 fixture. Rauf, who was heard screaming 6-0 during the practice session ahead of the match, repeated his antics in the match itself.
6-0 is a figure falsely fed to Pakistani citizens, citing the number of Indian fighter jets that their army 'apparently' shot down during Operation Sindoor. Pakistan had earlier complained about the Men in Blue mixing politics with sports during the handshake row. However, Rauf did not hesitate to do the same and even took a step further as he made the 6-0 sign and the gesture of a plane crashing while fielding in the India vs Pakistan Super 4 clash.
Both Haris Rauf and Sahibzada Farhan have reportedly pleaded not guilty during the ICC hearing of BCCI's complaint. Interestingly, Farhan had justified his celebration boldly in the press conference following the match. The Pakistan opener had said that he 'did not care' how his celebration was perceived. However, now that the matter has escalated to the ICC, with the chances of sanctions and even a ban on the players ahead of the Asia Cup final, Rauf and Farhan have swiftly backtracked on their actions.
Earlier on Thursday, Suryakumar Yadav also attended the ICC hearing over PCB's complaint against his comments in the post-match presentation of the India vs Pakistan group-stage match. After refusing to engage in customary handshakes with the rivals, SKY had paid his tributes to the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor. The PCB lodged a complaint, accusing the Indian captain of bringing politics into sports.
Suryakumar Yadav also pleaded not guilty to the charges. While it is not clear whether the ICC will levy any sanctions, the Indian skipper was reportedly warned against making such statements again. Meanwhile, as the Indian and Pakistan players attend the ICC rulings, the Asia Cup is set to host an India vs Pakistan final for the first time in its history of over four decades.
The Men in Blue were the first to secure qualification for the Asia Cup final with thumping wins over Pakistan and Bangladesh in Super 4 clashes. Pakistan, meanwhile, clinched the spot next to India after beating Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. India will face the arch-rivals in the Asia Cup final after crushing them twice in their previous meet-ups this edition.
