Key Points
- Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav has been fined 30% of his match fee by the ICC for comments made after the Asia Cup group match against Pakistan on September 14, 2025.
- The fine was imposed after Yadav dedicated India’s victory to the Pahalgam terror attack victims and the Indian Armed Forces, which the ICC deemed as political statements.
- Pakistan’s Haris Rauf was also fined 30% of his match fee for “aggressive behaviour,” while Sahibzada Farhan received a warning for his gun-firing celebration.
- The BCCI has filed an appeal against the verdict, with Suryakumar having pleaded not guilty during the ICC hearing.
- These disciplinary actions come just two days before the Asia Cup final between India and Pakistan on Sunday.
New Delhi: In an unprecedented move that has heightened tensions before Sunday’s Asia Cup final, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has imposed fines on players from both India and Pakistan for separate code of conduct violations. The disciplinary action stems from incidents during their recent encounters in the tournament, with political undertones casting a shadow over what is already cricket’s most charged rivalry.
Suryakumar Yadav Penalized for Pahalgam Comments
Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav was found guilty of breaching the ICC Code of Conduct and fined 30% of his match fee following his post-match comments after India’s seven-wicket victory over Pakistan on September 14. During the presentation ceremony, Yadav dedicated the win to the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack and expressed solidarity with the Indian Armed Forces, statements that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) labeled as “political” and “provocative”.
Match referee Richie Richardson conducted an official hearing on Thursday, September 25, where Yadav pleaded not guilty to the charges. However, his plea was rejected, and he was reportedly instructed not to make any statements that could be construed as political for the remainder of the tournament. The BCCI has since filed a formal appeal against the decision.
Pakistani Players Also Face Sanctions
The ICC’s disciplinary action was not limited to the Indian captain. Following a formal complaint by the BCCI, two Pakistani players faced hearings for their conduct during the Super 4 match on September 21:
Haris Rauf was fined 30% of his match fee for “rude and aggressive behaviour” during Pakistan’s defeat to India. Rauf was seen making provocative gestures toward Indian players and spectators, including mimicking a fighter jet going down and signaling “6-0” with his hands – widely interpreted as a reference to unverified Pakistani claims about shooting down Indian aircraft.
Sahibzada Farhan escaped with an official warning for his gun-firing celebration after completing his half-century. During his hearing, Farhan defended the gesture as part of his ethnic Pakhtun culture and argued it was not political, citing similar celebrations by former Indian captains MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli.
Escalating Tensions Beyond Cricket
The incidents reflect the broader political tensions that have engulfed this Asia Cup. India’s refusal to participate in the traditional pre and post-match handshakes – described as a gesture of solidarity with Pahalgam attack victims – had already set a tense tone. The situation has created an unprecedented challenge for the ICC, which finds itself managing not just sporting conduct but navigating the complex geopolitical dynamics between the two nations.
With both teams set to clash in Sunday’s final, these disciplinary actions have added another layer of intensity to what promises to be a highly charged encounter at the Dubai International Stadium.
