Asia Cup 2025: Sahibzada Farhan defends gunshot celebration in ICC hearing, cites example of Dhoni and Kohli

Pakistan opener Sahibzada Farhan has defended his controversial on-field celebration against India in the Super 4 clash of the ongoing Asia Cup, stating it was a personal celebration and not a politically motivated gesture.

Making his submission at the ICC hearing on Friday, Sahibzada cited past celebrations of a similar nature from former Indian captains MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli to establish his point, adding that such gestures are a common cultural expression among Pathans and are a routine part of their celebrations.

Sahibzada attended the formal hearing following the BCCI’s complaint with the ICC over his bat-as-gun celebration upon reaching his half-century against India in Dubai.

Farhan was asked about his celebration at a press conference before Pakistan's match against Sri Lanka, when he clarified that he decided to celebrate and does not want to pay heed to how others interpret the gesture.

"That celebration was just a moment at that time. I do not do a lot of celebrations after scoring fifty. But, it suddenly came to my mind that let's do a celebration today. I did that. I don't know how people will take it. I don't care about that," he had said. 

Meanwhile, the BCCI had also raised objections to pacer Haris Rauf’s act, as he displayed a 6-0 hand gesture and enacted a jet being shot down while fielding near the boundary, something that was interpreted as provocative in the aftermath of the recent geopolitical and cross-border tensions between the two nations.

It is understood that both players are likely to face fines ranging from 50 to 100 per cent of their match fees.

Meanwhile, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had also lodged a complaint with the ICC against Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav after he dedicated India's seven-wicket win in the group-stage clash on September 14 to "the families of the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack". 

PCB raised an objection to his remark, submitting that those were "political" in nature.

“Perfect occasion, taking the time out, we stand by the victims of the families of the Pahalgam terror attack. We express our solidarity. Want to dedicate the win to all our armed forces who showed a lot of bravery. Hope they continue to inspire us all and we give them more reasons on the ground whenever we get an opportunity to put a smile on their face,” Suryakumar had said in the presentation ceremony after the match.

Suryakumar was asked to refrain from making political remarks in an ICC hearing conducted by match referee Richie Richardson in Dubai.