Pakistan Cricket Board files complaint against Arshdeep Singh for 'Obscene' gesture during Asia Cup 2025

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has reportedly filed a complaint against Indian speedster Arshdeep Singh at the International Cricket Council (ICC) for an alleged ‘obscene’ gesture after the Asia Cup 2025 Super Four clash between India and Pakistan at Dubai International Stadium in Dubai.

The complaint comes hours before the first-ever India-Pakistan final in the tournament, scheduled to begin at 8 pm IST on Sunday in Dubai. Pakistan media reported that the PCB alleged that Arshdeep ‘brought the game into disrepute’ with his actions. This was the sarcastic aeroplane gesture on the boundary line after India's six-wicket win against Pakistan to seal a berth for the final.

The video was assumed to be a response to Pakistani fast bowler Haris Rauf, who made similar gestures during the game, which were seen as political in nature.

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The PCB has reportedly tried to bring Article 2.21 of the ICC code of conduct into play. It broadly considers any actions that ‘bring the game into disrepute’ and players can be fined for breaches ranging from the lowest level one to the highest, level four.

Here is what the law states: “By way of example, Article 2.21 may (depending upon the seriousness and context of the breach) prohibit, without limitation, the following: (a) public acts of misconduct; (b) unruly public behaviour; and (c) inappropriate comments which are detrimental to the interests of the game."

“When assessing the seriousness of the offence, the context of the particular situation, and whether it was deliberate, reckless, negligent, avoidable and/or accidental, shall be considered. Further, the person lodging the Report shall determine where on the range of severity the conduct lays (with the range of severity starting at conduct of a minor nature (and hence a Level 1 offence) up to conduct of an extremely serious nature (and hence a Level 4 offence))."

Rauf was spotted doing a ‘6-0’ gesture, which relates to Pakistan's fake claims they they downed Indian fighter jets during Operation Sindoor, where the Indian Armed Forces did precise strikes to counter the cross-border terrorism. India complained to the ICC about his gesture too, and he was penalised with 30 per cent of his match fees.