The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has reacted swiftly after star pacer Haris Rauf was fined for misconduct during the Asia Cup 2025 Super 4s match against India at the Dubai International Stadium. Reports confirm that PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, who also serves as the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) president, has personally taken responsibility to pay the fine imposed on the fast bowler.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) reportedly deducted 30 percent of Haris Rauf’s match fee for using abusive language during heated moments of the game. Although Rauf pleaded “not guilty” in a hearing before Richie Richardson, sanctions were handed down, though an official ICC statement is still awaited.
During the high-voltage clash, Rauf made a controversial gesture towards the Indian fans, flashing a 6-0 sign, a symbolic reference to Pakistan’s claim of downing six Indian fighter jets during Operation Sindoor. The fiery pacer also exchanged words with Indian openers Shubman Gill and Abhishek Sharma, and later gave Sanju Samson an aggressive send-off, where the incident of abusive language was reported.
Adding to the controversy, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) lodged a complaint with the ICC against Rauf and opener Sahibzada Farhan for provocative gestures. Farhan, after scoring a half-century, imitated firing shots with his bat, for which he received a warning instead of a fine.
Meanwhile, Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav was also fined 30 percent of his match fee earlier in the tournament for making political remarks after a group-stage win over Pakistan. He had dedicated the victory to the Indian Armed Forces and victims of the Pahalgam terror attack.
As the tournament builds towards its climax, all eyes are now on the Asia Cup 2025 Final, where India and Pakistan will lock horns once again at the Dubai International Stadium on Sunday, September 28. With the tension already at its peak, the final promises to be one of the most fiercely contested matches in Asia Cup history.
