Haris Rauf, Sahibzada Farhan appears before ICC over gesture controversy

DUBAI: Pakistan pacer Haris Rauf and opening batter Sahibzada Farhan on Friday appeared before the International Cricket Council (ICC) on a complaint filed by the Indian cricket board.

According to sources, the hearing was held at a hotel in Dubai, where the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) took the position that the two players made objectionable gestures during the match against India on September 21.

During the hearing, the ICC match referee, Richie Richardson, asked the cricketers why they made the gestures that triggered India.

In his response, Haris Rauf clarified that the gestures were not made to hurt anyone’s feelings or highlight political aspects, but were simply part of the spirit of the game and a momentary reaction.

According to sources, Farhan also took the same position, stating that the gun celebration is a common thing in Pakistan to express joy and was not meant to hurt the feelings of Indian fans.

He described that the gun celebration is often done by many players in the past, including MS Dhoni and Vivian Richards.

The hearing has been completed, and now the ICC will review the positions of both parties and give its decision, sources said. It is expected that the matter will likely be limited to a warning or fine rather than a severe punishment.

On the other hand, the ICC has also completed the hearing on the complaint lodged by PCB against the India captain Suryakumar Yadav.

The India captain dedicated the September 14 win over Pakistan to the families of the victims of the Pahalgam attack and the Indian armed forces.

In its complaint, the PCB alleged that Suryakumar’s comments were “political”.