This International Cricket Council (ICC) Pakistan imposed a two-match suspension on the pacer Haris Rauf Against India for breaching the ICC Code of Conduct in the Asia Cup 2025 final. Ban, Ban Rauf, collected four demerit points between two separate incidents involving underground gestures during a tense final period.
In addition to the suspension, the ICC also fined him 30% of his fare.
ICC match referee Richie Richardson oversees the proceedings
The decision followed a formal hearing conducted by ICC Match Richardson as Rauf refused to accept the charges against him. The match officials looked at the final and reports before reaching their verdict.
According to the ICC statement, Rauf’s actions violated Article 2.6 of the ICC Code of Conduct, which deals with the use of “Obscene, offensive or abusive gestures in an international match.”
A spokesperson for the ICC confirmed:
“Haris Rauf’s conduct during the Asia Cup final was deemed inappropriate and against the spirit of the game. The disciplinary panel warranted a two-match suspension given the cumulative nature of his offences.”
This is Rauf’s first major disciplinary sanction in international cricket, although he has previously received verbal warnings for on-field aggression in domestic tournaments.
Rauf’s absence is a setback for Pakistan as he remains one of the leading pacers in limited overs cricket. The two-match ban was without services in Pakistan’s first two ODIs against South Africa at the Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad.
Suryakumar Yadav was fined for his post-match comments
In a separate development, ICC also fined India’s T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav 30% for comments made after India’s group stage victory over Pakistan in the Asia Cup on September 14.
Yadav’s speech, which referred to the Indian Armed Forces and the victims of terrorist attacks, was deemed a violation of Article 2.7 – “Behavior that renders the game unusable.”
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) filed a formal complaint, claiming that Yadav’s comments were politically charged “Damage the image of cricket.” Although the ICC imposed a monetary fine, officials did not rule out the possibility of a formal disciplinary hearing depending on the outcome of the investigation.
Read: Suryakumar Yadav reveals India’s best captain, picks the best batsmen of all three formats
Other players allowed for action during the 2025 Asian Cup
Asia Cup 2025 has been marred by multiple disciplinary issues involving players from both teams.
Along with Rauf and Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah was fined for making an inappropriate gesture in the Asia Cup final.
Pakistan’s Sahibzadeh Farhan, with an official warning and a demerit point, showed his dissent against the Umpire’s decision.
The ICC has reiterated its commitment to upholding the spirit of Cricket, warning that repeated offenses could lead to stiff penalties in future tournaments.
Read: Spinners, Salman Agha Guide Pakistan to a thrilling win in South Africa in 1st ODI
