Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi has decided to personally pay the fine imposed on pacer Haris Rauf, according to a report by Samaa TV. Rauf was penalised with a 30% deduction of his match fees for using “abusive language” during the high-voltage Asia Cup 2025 Super 4 clash against India. Naqvi, who also serves as the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) chief and Pakistan’s Interior Minister, stepped in quickly to cover the penalty.

The fiery Pakistan pacer appeared before ICC match referee Richie Richardson on Friday, where he pleaded “not guilty.” Despite his defense, the penalty was upheld. Reports suggest Rauf’s actions, directed in frustration towards Indian supporters, led to the sanction.

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Adding to the controversy, Pakistan opener Sahibzada Farhan also faced disciplinary scrutiny. His gunfire-style celebration after scoring a fifty against India was deemed provocative by the BCCI, which filed a formal complaint. Farhan, however, pleaded not guilty during the hearing at Pakistan’s team hotel in Dubai. Both players attended the proceedings in person, though their statements were submitted in writing.

Meanwhile, tensions escalated further when Pakistan lodged a counter-complaint against India captain Suryakumar Yadav. The Indian skipper had dedicated India’s September 14 win over Pakistan to victims of the Pahalgam terror attack, a gesture that the PCB claimed was “political in nature.” Yadav pleaded not guilty but was advised by officials to refrain from making similar statements for the rest of the tournament.

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The arch-rivals are now set to meet again in the Asia Cup 2025 final on Sunday, September 28. With emotions already running high, the controversies surrounding Rauf, Farhan, and Yadav have added another dramatic layer to cricket’s fiercest rivalry. The International Cricket Council (ICC) has yet to release an official statement on the matter.