In a statement posted on social media platform X, Shah expressed full support for the pacer, calling him and batsman Sahibzada Farhan “brave and determined players.” He added, “Even if Haris is fined 300 percent, I and the entire nation will stand with him. I will pay the complete fine from my own pocket.”

The gesture comes shortly after Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi also pledged to cover Rauf’s fine, showing solidarity with the player at a time when emotions are running high among cricket fans.

The incident dates back to September 21, during the high-voltage Asia Cup clash between Pakistan and India. After taking a wicket and while fielding near the boundary, Haris Rauf responded to hostile chants from Indian spectators with an airplane-crash gesture. The action drew criticism from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), which subsequently lodged a complaint with the ICC.

Following the complaint, the ICC imposed a fine amounting to 30 percent of Rauf’s match fee, while his teammate Sahibzada Farhan was issued a formal warning.

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Nasir Hussain Shah’s announcement has been widely shared online, with many praising the minister for backing national players against international scrutiny. His statement reflects a broader sentiment in Pakistan, where both fans and officials continue to rally behind Haris Rauf despite the disciplinary action.

For now, the controversy has sparked debate across cricketing circles, but Pakistan’s cricket fraternity remains united in supporting their fast bowler.