PCB Files ICC Complaint Against Suryakumar Yadav for Pahalgam Solidarity

The high-voltage cricket rivalry between India and Pakistan has once again extended beyond the boundary ropes during the Asia Cup 2025, with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) lodging a formal complaint with the International Cricket Council (ICC) against Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav. The complaint specifically targets the Indian skipper’s post-match comments following India’s victory over Pakistan in the group stage on September 14, where he expressed solidarity with the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack.

The PCB alleges that Yadav’s remarks were “political” in nature, thereby breaching the ICC’s code of conduct which emphasizes maintaining neutrality in international cricket and prohibits “personal messages” related to political causes without prior approval.

During the post-match presentation, after India’s comprehensive win, Suryakumar Yadav had dedicated the victory, stating: “Perfect occasion, taking the time out, we stand by the families of the victims 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.”

This gesture, which included the Indian team avoiding the customary handshake with the Pakistani players, had immediately stirred controversy. The PCB views the comments as an attempt to politicize the sporting arena, citing the ICC’s regulation against conveying messages relating to political, religious, or racial activities.

The ICC has confirmed receipt of the complaint and is reportedly reviewing the matter. Match referee Richie Richardson has been tasked with looking into the issue and is understood to have informed the Indian team management of the proceedings. Reports indicate that the review has led to a conclusion that a charge should be brought against Yadav for “conduct that brings the game into dispute by making inappropriate comments, which are detrimental to the interest of the game.”

Suryakumar Yadav now has the option to either accept the charge or face a formal hearing, which would involve the match referee and representatives from both the BCCI and the PCB. The outcome of the PCB’s complaint could hinge on the precise timing of its filing, as ICC rules mandate that such reports must be lodged within seven days of the conclusion of the relevant international match.

This development adds another layer of tension to the ongoing tournament, particularly as it follows the BCCI’s own official complaint to the ICC against Pakistani cricketers Haris Rauf and Sahibzada Farhan for alleged provocative on-field gestures during the Super 4 match. The exchange of official protests highlights the increasingly sensitive nature of cricketing encounters between the two nations, ensuring that the Asia Cup 2025 will be remembered for its off-field controversies as much as its action on the pitch.