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The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has lodged an official complaint with the International Cricket Council (ICC) against Pakistan cricketers Haris Rauf and Sahibzada Farhan.

Reliable sources indicate that a complaint was filed via email on Wednesday regarding the on-field gestures of Pakistan players during the tense Asia Cup 2025 Super Four match in Dubai.

These incidents have since ignited widespread discussion on social media.

Catch Asia Cup 2025 news updates here!

The September 21 fixture, the second meeting between the arch-rivals in this year’s tournament, saw several heated moments between players on both sides.

Pakistan pacers Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf exchanged words with India’s opening pair of Abhishek Sharma and Shubman Gill. However, the BCCI’s complaint specifically names Rauf and Farhan.

Rauf attracted attention while fielding near the boundary as he made gestures that depicted the action of bringing down a plane. This was interpreted as a mockery of India’s military action earlier this year.

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He performed these gestures in response to Indian fans chanting “Kohli, Kohli,” referring to Virat Kohli’s famous sixes off Rauf during the 2022 T20 World Cup in Melbourne.

Farhan, meanwhile, came under scrutiny for his unique half-century celebration, in which he mimicked firing a machine gun with his bat. The gesture was widely criticized as provocative.

If the two Pakistan players deny the allegations in writing, an ICC hearing may be convened to review the matter. The second match referee in the tournament, Richie Richardson, is expected to oversee proceedings.

READ: Younis Khan comments on India-Pakistan handshake controversy

KARACHI: Former captain Younis Khan shared his thoughts on the India-Pakistan handshake controversy that arose during their first encounter in the ACC Men’s Asia Cup 2025.

The September 14 fixture was the first meeting between Pakistan and India since cross-border tensions resurfaced in May, and the unease was evident even before a ball was bowled.

Both captains skipped the customary handshake at the toss, something the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) alleged was instructed by match referee Andy Pycroft. According to the PCB, this move violated the spirit of cricket and the MCC’s code of conduct.

India’s seven-wicket win was quickly overshadowed by what came next. After sealing victory, Suryakumar Yadav and Shivam Dube walked straight off as the rest of the Indian players celebrated in their dugout, refusing to acknowledge Pakistan.

Speaking to the media at NIPA Sports Complex, Younis commented on the controversy surrounding players not shaking hands.

“Indian players not shaking hands is against sportsmanship. But they are following their government’s instructions. Still, if they don’t, Pakistan should win and extend your hand,” he advised.

The veteran emphasized the importance of professionalism, noting that Indian players benefit from fewer team changes and greater clarity about their roles.

“Neither India is weak nor Pakistan. Their plus point is that their is less changes in the team. That’s why they perform consistently,” Younis said.

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“Too many changes disrupt the combination. Avoid politics, play for the team and for Pakistan, not for yourself,” he added.

On the prospect of a Pakistan-India Asia Cup final, he said that it will be exciting to watch them in the summit clash.

“If it’s Pakistan versus India in the final, then what a contest that would be.”

Younis Khan also praised Shaheen Shah Afridi’s batting ability, saying he has the potential to develop into a genuine all-rounder.

“If Shaheen can bat, then why can’t others? He has the ability to become an all-rounder,” Younis remarked.

He also heaped praise on Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan, describing them as talented cricketers capable of delivering for Pakistan.

READ: Suryakumar reveals reason behind Dube’s promotion during Bangladesh clash

DUBAI: India captain Suryakumar Yadav opened up on the tactical decision to promote all-rounder Shivam Dube to the No. 2 position during their clash against Bangladesh in the ACC Men’s Asia Cup 2025 Super Fours.

India thumped Bangladesh by 41 runs to seal a place in the final, courtesy of Abhishek Sharma’s sublime knock and Kuldeep Yadav’s guile with the ball.

Abhishek’s golden run in the tournament continued as he slammed 75 off just 37, plundering five sixes and fours, which set the tone for India to post a strong total.

With the ball in hand, Kuldeep Yadav continued to impress and took a three-wicket haul, which rattled Bangladesh’s batting lineup.

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Meanwhile, after a solid opening partnership of 77 runs in 6.2 overs, Shivam Dube was sent up the order in a bid to accelerate the scoring.

During the post-match presentation, Suryakumar shed light on the move and emphasized the match-up plan.

“They [Bangladesh] had a left-arm spinner and a leg-spinner, and Dube was the perfect match-up. His entry point (between overs 7-15) was also perfect. It did not go well, but going ahead, we will definitely try doing that,” he revealed.

He also talked about conditions and the total that India set on the board while highlighting the middle overs bowling key to their success in defending any total.

“If the outfield would have been really fast, it would have been 180-185. If we can bowl 12-14 good overs, we can defend any total,” Suryakumar continued.

“We did not get to bat first in the tournament, and that too in a crucial match. It was important to bat in the Super Four and how we do. The wicket was a little slower in the second innings (in the game on September 14 as well), and that is what happened tonight as well, with no dew, ” he concluded.

READ: Confident Jaker targets Pakistan clash to seal Asia Cup 2025 final berth

DUBAI: Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman surpassed former captain Shakib Al Hasan to become the highest wicket-taker for his country in the T20I format on Wednesday.

The left-arm pacer surpassed his compatriot during Bangladesh’s clash against India in the ACC Men’s Asia Cup 2025 played here under lights at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium (DICS).

Mustafizur removed Indian skipper Suryakumar Yadav in the 12th over, which marked his 150th scalp in the T20Is.

With this wicket, he climbed the ladder of the most wickets in the shorter format and surpassed Shakib’s tally of 149 wickets in 126 innings.

Most wickets for Bangladesh in Men’s T20Is

Mustafizur Rahman – 150 wickets in 117 innings
Shakib Al Hasan – 149 wickets in 126 innings
Taskin Ahmed – 99 wickets in 79 innings
Mahedi Hasan – 61 wickets in 64 innings
Shoriful Islam – 58 wickets in 52 innings

The 30-year-old now sits in the third position with only Tim Southee and Rashid Khan being ahead of him.

Most wickets in men’s T20Is

Rashid Khan (Afghanistan) – 173 wickets in 103 innings
Tim Southee (New Zealand) – 164 innings in 123 innings
Mustafizur Rahman (Bangladesh) – 150 wickets in 117 innings
Ish Sodhi (New Zealand) – 150 wickets in 121 innings
Shakib Al Hasan (Bangladesh) – 149 wickets in 126 innings

Despite his clinical bowling effort, India emerged victorious by 41 runs, sealing a final berth in the Asia Cup 2025.

Put into bat first, India were restricted to 168-6 in their 20 overs, despite Abhishek Sharma’s 75 from just 37 balls.

In reply, Bangladesh, having a contrary start to India, crumbled under pressure and were bowled out for 127 in 19.3 overs.

Kuldeep Yadav starred with the ball, taking an excellent three-wicket haul in his quota of four overs.

Bangladesh will now face Pakistan in a do-or-die clash in a bid to secure their spot in the continental tournament’s final.

READ: ‘Tigers who?’ Shaheen Afridi draws blank on Bangladesh nickname

DUBAI: Abhishek Sharma’s sizzling knock and Kuldeep Yadav’s spin magic propelled India past Bangladesh, securing a place in the ACC Men’s Asia Cup 2025 final here at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium (DICS) on Wednesday.  

Set 169, Bangladesh faltered in the chase and were bowled out for 127 in 19.3 overs,  making their upcoming clash against Pakistan a virtual knockout.

The Tigers had a contrary start, with Tanzid Hasan sent back in the second over for one.

After an early wicket, Saif Hassan paired up with Parvez Hossain Emon for a 42-run partnership, which steadied them in the chase.  However, Kuldeep Yadav provided India with a breakthrough with Pervez’s wicket. He was caught after scoring 21 from 19 with the aid of two fours and a six.

As a result, Bangladesh were 46-2 in 6.2 overs and were in dire need of a strong partnership. However, India’s spinners chipped in and took control of the match with wickets at regular intervals.

The spin trio of Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, and Varun Chakravarthy tore through the middle order, with Saif Hassan the lone bright star.

The right-hander kept Bangladesh in the hunt with excellent ball striking, not before being removed on the second ball of the 18th over. His valiant 69 from 51 balls was studded with five sixes and three fours.

For India, it was an all-round bowling effort with every main bowler having their name in the wickets column. Yet, Kuldeep Yadav stood out with three scalps in his four overs while giving away only 18.

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Earlier, Abhishek Sharma’s whirlwind 75 from 37 balls powered India to 168-6 in their 20 overs, thanks to a strong opening partnership between Shubman Gill and Abhishek Sharma.

The opening pair continued from where they left off against Pakistan, forging a 77-run stand in only 6.2 overs.

Abhishek’s dream run continued as he started to torment Bangladesh’s bowlers after a slow start in the opening overs.

The Men in Blue’s scorecard read 17 in three overs before Gill launched Nasum Ahmed for a four and six, with Sharma cashing in on the last ball with a six. The over yielded 17 runs and set the tone for what was to come next.

Both batters gained momentum and took 17 from the next over to give India a strong finish to the powerplay. However, Gill fell soon after the fielding restrictions were lifted. The right-hander made 29 from 19 with the aid of two fours and a six.

Bangladesh snared another wicket in the form of promoted batter Shivam Dube, who managed to score two.

Yet, India were cruising and were looking to post a near 200-run mark total; however, Abhishek Sharma’s run out in the 12th over controlled things for Bangladesh. The southpaw sublime knock featured five fewer sixes and six fours.

At this stage, India were 112-3 in 11.1 overs, with Bangladesh now taking control of the situation with regular wickets and eventually limiting them to a below-par total.

Hardik Pandya was caught on the last ball after scoring 39 from 29, striking four boundaries and a six.

Rishad Hossain remained the pick of Bangladesh’s bowlers, who chipped in with two wickets while giving away 27 runs in three overs.

READ: WATCH: Salman Ali Agha, team management console bereaved Wellalage

DUBAI: Bangladesh have won the toss and opted to bowl first against India in the Asia Cup 2025 Super Four encounter here at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium (DICS) on Wednesday.

Playing XIs

Bangladesh XI: Saif Hassan, Tanzid Hasan, Parvez Hossain Emon, Towhid Hridoy, Jaker Ali (capt & wk), Shamim Hossain, Rishad Hossain, Nasum Ahmed, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Mohammad Saifuddin, Mustafizur Rahman

India XI: Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill, Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav (capt), Sanju Samson (wk), Shivam Dube, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakravarthy

HEAD TO HEAD RECORD: 

India and Bangladesh have faced each other on 17 occasions in the T20I format, with India emerging as the far superior team with 16 wins.

Matches: India 16, Bangladesh 1

READ: ‘Tigers who?’ Shaheen Afridi draws blank on Bangladesh nickname

Pakistan pace spearhead Shaheen Shah Afridi has declared that his team will reach the ACC Asia Cup 2025 final and can beat India if the arch-rivals clash again.

Pakistan kept their campaign alive with a five-wicket win over Sri Lanka in a Super Four clash in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday.

India and Pakistan have met twice in this edition of the regional competition, but the neighbors have never played against each other in an Asia Cup final.

The regional tournament, played this time in the United Arab Emirates under the Twenty20 format, started in 1984, and this is its 17th edition.

Bangladesh, who face India on Wednesday and Pakistan on Thursday, stand in the way of the great rivals facing off in Sunday’s decider in Dubai.

Catch Asia Cup 2025 news updates here!

India are the holders and beat Pakistan in both previous matches, but Shaheen was in a bullish mood after taking 3-28 against Sri Lanka.

“They have still not reached the final. When they do, then we will see them,” said Shaheen of India.

“We are here to win the cup, whichever team comes in the final, we are ready to beat them.”

If both teams reach the final, India will once again start as strong favorites, having won 12 of 15 T20Is between the two countries.

India have also won the last seven internationals against Pakistan since September 2022, four T20Is and three one-day internationals.

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That sequence prompted India skipper Suryakumar Yadav to declare that India-Pakistan “is not a rivalry anymore”.

In both wins for India in the UAE, there were no handshakes, adding another layer to an already intense rivalry.

“It is his opinion that, let him say that,” said Shaheen of Suryakumar’s cutting comments.

“When they reach the final, then they will see. Our job is to win the Asia Cup, and we will make a complete effort to do that.”

READ: Abrar enters top five, Sahibzada becomes Pakistan’s best batter in T20I Rankings

DUBAI: Pakistan opener Sahibzada Farhan explained his gun-fire celebration against India during the ACC Men’s Asia Cup 2025 Super Fours clash on Sunday.

Farhan notched up his maiden half-century against arch-rivals India and celebrated it in a unique way by mimicking his bat “firing runs like bullets,” a gesture that thrilled fans.

He top-scored with 58 from 45 balls, which helped Pakistan set a record total against India in T20Is.

However, it was not enough as India chased down the target in the second last overs, losing just four wickets in the process.

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Speaking in the press conference ahead of the clash against Sri Lanka, Farhan spilled the beans on his celebration and stated that he does not care what people say about it.

“You’ll see more (sixes). It was just a moment thing. Normally, I don’t celebrate much even after scoring fifties, but suddenly I felt like doing it today. I don’t care what people make of it,” he said.

The right-hander also backed the team’s approach of playing an aggressive brand of cricket against all teams.

“And as for the rest, you know, cricket should be played aggressively against all teams, not just India. Today, we played that kind of aggressive cricket, ” he continued.

He also highlighted the missing link in Pakistan’s batting line-up and expressed confidence in correcting their mistakes.

“I think what we’ve been missing in recent matches is not making the most of the powerplay and losing early wickets. That puts pressure on the rest of the batting lineup.

Apart from Fakhar’s early dismissal, we didn’t lose wickets in the powerplay, and we scored around 90 runs in the first ten overs. That was excellent. Later in the middle overs, we collapsed a bit, but Inshallah we’ll fix that too,” Sahibzada Farhan concluded.

READ: Sahibzada Farhan breaks Abhishek Sharma’s six-hitting record

DUBAI: Pakistan opener Sahibzada Farhan on Sunday broke India’s Abhishek Sharma’s record during the ACC Men’s Asia Cup 2025 Super Fours clash at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

Sahibzada top-scored for Pakistan with a 58 off 45 balls. He struck three sixes and five fours in his impressive knock.

In doing so, he surpassed Abhishek Sharma’s tally for the most T20 sixes in a calendar year. The right-hander now has 88 sixes to his name — the most by an Asian batter in a single year.

Most T20 Sixes Hit in a Calendar Year by an Asian Batter

88 – Sahibzada Farhan (Pakistan) in 2025 (34 inns)*

87 – Abhishek Sharma (India) in 2024 (38 inns)

85 – Suryakumar Yadav (India) in 2022 (41 inns)

82 – Mohammad Waseem (UAE) in 2024 (45 inns)

81 – Rahmanullah Gurbaz (Afghanistan) in 2024 (52 inns)

Overall, Sahibzada Farhan sits fourth on the global list of six-hitters in 2025.

Most T20 Sixes in 2025 

103 sixes – Nicholas Pooran (West Indies)  49 inns

99 sixes – Karanbir Singh (Austria)  28 inns

88 sixes – Dewald Brevis 32 inns

88 sixes – Sahibzada Farhan 34 inns

Despite Sahibzada Farhan’s record-breaking, India cruised to a comprehensive six-wicket victory, courtesy of Abhishek Sharma’s sublime knock.

He added 105 for the opening wicket with Shubman Gill in just 59 balls, leaving Pakistan bowlers deflated.

The left-hander went on to smash 74 off just 39 balls, studded with five towering sixes and six boundaries. For his outstanding knock, the southpaw was named player of the match.

READ: India-Pakistan isn’t a rivalry anymore: Suryakumar Yadav

DUBAI: Suryakumar Yadav has brushed aside the talk of rivalry between India and Pakistan after his side’s comprehensive six-wicket win in the Super Fours of the ACC Men’s Asia Cup 2025.

India dominated Pakistan and secured their second win over the arch-rivals in the space of a week.

Abhishek Sharma’s ruthless knock was the highlight of the match which steered India to a commanding victory despite their sloppiness in the field during Pakistan’s innings.

After dropping the catches in the field, Abhishek went to score a sublime 74 from 39 balls, laced with five effortless sixes and half a dozen fours.

For Pakistan, Sahibzada Farhan was the lone bright star, scoring 58 off 45 balls.

Suryakumar Yadav addressed a question regarding the India-Pakistan rivalry in the post-match press conference.

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“Standards and rivalry are the same. According to me, if two teams play 15-20 matches and if [head-to-head] it is 7-7 or 8-7, then that is called a rivalry. But 13-0, 10-1….I don’t know what the stats are. But this is not a rivalry anymore,” he told reporters.

He called the middle overs after the drinks break as the turning point of the match during Pakistan’s innings.

“According to me, the turning point was in the first drinks in the first innings. People changed their body language after that. You always see the game changes generally after the powerplay.

“But today, the game changed after ten overs, when the bowlers changed their line and lengths, understood what was needed in that situation, and showed a little more energy,” he continued.

The skipper praised Indian spinners and highlighted Shivam Dube’s spell, which turned the game on its head.

“The spinners bowled well. And according to me, Shivam Dube’s spell, you can say that it was a turning point,” he concluded.

READ: ‘Yet to play a perfect game,’ admits Salman Ali Agha after India defeat