The build-up to Sunday’s Asia Cup final between India and Pakistan has been dominated by matters away from cricket. On Thursday and Friday, both camps saw their players pulled up by the ICC for breaching the code of conduct. India captain Suryakumar Yadav and Pakistan fast bowler Haris Rauf were fined 30 per cent of their match fees, while opener Sahibzada Farhan was handed only a warning for his ‘gun’ celebration.
BCCI to appeal against ICC’s verdict
Suryakumar was charged for his post-match remarks after India’s group-stage win on September 14, when he dedicated the victory to the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack and the armed forces. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) complained that his comments carried political overtones. Suryakumar argued they were made in solidarity with his countrymen, but match referee Richie Richardson did not agree.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has now decided to appeal the verdict. An official ruling on the appeal is likely only after the tournament finishes after September 28. Initially, it was reported that the ICC has not charged anything against Suryakumar.
Naqvi backs Rauf, pays his fine
On the Pakistan side, Haris Rauf was punished for his aggressive behaviour during the Super Four clash in Dubai. He was involved in a verbal exchange with India’s openers, showed gestures to fans near the boundary, and was reported for abusive language. The ICC fined him 30 per cent of his match fee. The ‘6-0’ and ‘plane’ gestures were also politically charged as Rauf tried to take a dig at the Indian soldiers.
Incidentally, in a strong show of support, PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi has stepped in and will pay the fine out of his own pocket. This has come, according to reports in Pakistan. Naqvi, who himself showed unprofessionalism by posting an enraging video of Cristiano Ronaldo showing plane gesture, could also land in trouble by the ICC.
Farhan, who celebrated his half-century with a gun-shot gesture, has escaped with just a warning, though the incident was once again infuriating, especially after all that the two countries went through a few months ago.
India and Pakistan will now meet in the Asia Cup final for the first time in the competition’s history. India have beaten Pakistan twice already in this edition, while Pakistan sealed their spot with a win over Bangladesh. With the BCCI appealing Suryakumar’s sanction and the PCB publicly backing Rauf, the final on Sunday is set against a heated backdrop.
