Christiano Ronaldo is seen in a video posted on social media, explaining how his direct free kick dipped and struck the nets.
But Asian Cricket Council chairman Mohsin Naqvi, who is the ‘Interior Minister’ and chairman of Pakistan Cricket Board, on Wednesday, used Ronaldo’s video and created a big controversy with a provocative gesture against Indian military.
Earlier, during the Asia Cup Super 4 game in Dubai last Sunday, Rauf made gestures mocking India’s military action. ACC chairman also fueled the controversy with the post of Ronaldo’s video, trying to mean how Pakistan brought down India’s planes during the post-Pahelgaon-attacks.
The controversy has caught the attention of both BCCI and ICC mandarins, and only time will tell if action will be taken against Naqvi as a result.
Meanwhile, India has filed an official complaint with the ICC against Pakistan cricketers Haris Rauf and Sahibzada Farhin for their provocative gestures during the two sides’ Asia Cup Super 4 game in Dubai last Sunday.
It is reliably learnt that the BCCI filed the complaint against the duo on Wednesday and ICC is in receipt of the e-mail. An ICC hearing is expected to take place in case Sahibzada and Rauf deny these allegations in writing. They might have to appear before the ICC Elite Panel Referee, Richie Richardson for a hearing.
In its retaliation, the Pakistan Cricket Board also seems to have lodged an official complaint with the international parent body against Indian skipper Suryakumar Yadav for expressing his solidarity with victims of Pahalgam terror attack and dedicating his team’s victory to the Indian Armed Forces involved in Operation Sindoor. His comments came after the September 14 game.
