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6 days ago

ICC warns Indian cricketer Suryakumar to steer clear of politics after Pakistan complaint

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The International Cricket Council (ICC) warned Indian cricket team captain Suryakumar Yadav for making political comments, after Pakistan issued complaints against him.

It was expected that Suryakumar would be imposed a fine, but that was not the reality. He was warned after a hearing in Dubai during the Asia Cup, overseen by the match referee Richi Richardson.

He was advised to keep his comments on cricket only.

The controversy began after India's win over Pakistan on September 14. Suryakumar, in a TV interview, used the phrase "Operation Sindoor" - a term Pakistan argued was tied to military operations in Kashmir.

The Pakistan board complained formally, saying the remark dragged politics into the game.

The issue has fed into a tournament already loaded with tension.

Earlier, Pakistan had accused referee Andy Pycroft of telling the captains not to shake hands at the toss. That incident almost led to a boycott threat before Pycroft apologised for what he called a misunderstanding.

India, meanwhile, has hit back with complaints of its own. The BCCI wrote to the ICC about gestures made by Haris Rauf and Sahibzada Farhan during the September 21 Super Four match.

Farhan's half-century was followed by a mock rifle salute, while Rauf was seen making a hand signal that Indian fans said mimicked the downing of a plane.

Whether those cases are pursued remains unclear.

For now, the ICC insists its officials act fairly and its players avoid politics. But with India and Pakistan, every word and gesture seems to carry extra weight.

India and Pakistan, not-so-friendly neighbours, are all set to take on each other in the Asia Cup final on Sunday in Dubai.

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