The Asia Cup 2025 final week has seen another twist in the India–Pakistan saga, with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) formally lodging a complaint against Indian pacer Arshdeep Singh for what it termed “obscene gestures” towards spectators during the Super Four clash in Dubai on September 21.
According to sources, the incident took place after the match concluded, when Arshdeep was seen reacting to a section of the crowd. PCB has written to the ICC, claiming the fast bowler’s conduct was unethical, violated the Code of Conduct, and “brought the game into disrepute.”
“We expect the ICC to act firmly on this. Such behaviour sets the wrong example in high-stakes tournaments,” a PCB official was quoted as saying.
More heat after Suryakumar verdict
The complaint comes just days after Indian skipper Suryakumar Yadav was sanctioned by the ICC for making political remarks following India’s group-stage win over Pakistan. Yadav’s “not guilty” plea was rejected by match referee Richie Richardson, with the captain fined 30 percent of his match fee.
Pakistan had initially demanded a Level 4 sanction — the most severe category — arguing that Yadav’s reference to the Indian army during his post-match remarks damaged the spirit of the game.
Counter-complaints add to the storm
The disciplinary drama hasn’t been one-sided. The BCCI also filed complaints against Pakistan players Haris Rauf and Sahibzada Farhan for their animated celebrations in the same September 21 clash.
The ICC later fined Haris Rauf 30 percent of his match fee for gesturing towards fans near the boundary. Farhan, meanwhile, escaped with a warning after his “firing bullets” bat celebration went viral on social media.
Final overshadowed?
With the India–Pakistan final just hours away, these off-field controversies are beginning to run parallel to the cricketing spectacle. What was once billed purely as a dream final — the first between the two sides in more than four decades — is now also being shaped by a string of disciplinary flashpoints, escalating tensions before the biggest game of the tournament.
