India skipper Suryakumar told to refrain from political comments
According to a report by ESPNcricinfo, the PCB’s main objection was Suryakumar’s use of the phrase “Operation Sindoor.” The Indian government had used this term during military tensions with Pakistan in April, following a terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Indian-administered Kashmir.
The ICC has instructed Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav to avoid making political remarks. The directive came yesterday in Dubai after a hearing conducted by match referee Richie Richardson. However, it is still unclear whether any disciplinary action will be taken against him.
The hearing was arranged after Pakistan lodged a formal complaint against Suryakumar. Pakistan's team management labelled his remarks following the India–Pakistan group stage match on 14 September as "political." Senior officials of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) reiterated this complaint during a press conference in Lahore last week.
According to a report by ESPNcricinfo, the PCB's main objection was Suryakumar's use of the phrase "Operation Sindoor." The Indian government had used this term during military tensions with Pakistan in April, following a terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Indian-administered Kashmir.
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The India–Pakistan encounter also gave rise to another controversy. Pakistan alleged that match referee Andy Pycroft had "requested captains not to shake hands" at the toss. The PCB filed a formal protest against Pycroft and demanded his removal from their subsequent matches. The ICC, however, rejected the request. In response, Pakistan threatened to boycott the Asia Cup, before eventually taking the field after Pycroft apologised for the "misunderstanding" regarding the handshake.
India, in turn, submitted a formal complaint against two Pakistani players. The BCCI accused pacer Haris Rauf and opener Sahibzada Farhan of inappropriate gestures during the Super Four clash between the two sides in Dubai on 21 September.
After reaching his half-century, Farhan celebrated with a gesture resembling the firing of an AK-47 rifle—an act widely criticised by Indian supporters. In the same match, Rauf waved towards Indian fans in a manner interpreted as a reference to shooting down an aircraft. The complaint stated that both actions were intended as mockery of India's armed forces.
