Dubai, November 4: The International Cricket Council (ICC) has handed Pakistan pacer Haris Rauf a two-match suspension and fined India’s Suryakumar Yadav for breaching the ICC Code of Conduct during the Asia Cup 2025 clashes between India and Pakistan.
In an official statement issued on Tuesday, the ICC confirmed that Haris Rauf accumulated four demerit points within 24 months, triggering an automatic suspension of two matches as per the ICC’s disciplinary framework. The incidents under review occurred during the India–Pakistan fixtures played on September 14, 21, and 28.
“Following a formal hearing led by Match Referee Richie Richardson, Haris Rauf was found guilty of breaching Article 2.21, which pertains to conduct that brings the game into disrepute,” the ICC statement said.
“He was fined 30% of his match fee and handed two additional demerit points, taking his total to four within two years, resulting in a two-match suspension.”
Controversial Gesture Sparks Action
The controversy stems from Rauf’s boundary-line gestures during the September 14 group-stage encounter, where he mimicked the action of bringing down a plane — a move widely interpreted as mocking India’s military actions earlier this year.
Rauf reportedly made the gesture in reaction to Indian fans chanting “Kohli, Kohli”, referencing Virat Kohli’s iconic sixes off Rauf in the 2022 T20 World Cup at Melbourne.
As a result, Rauf will miss Pakistan’s ODI series against South Africa on November 4 and 6, 2025.
Suryakumar and Farhan Also Penalized
Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav was also fined 30% of his match fee and given two demerit points for the same offence. The ICC said his conduct was “contrary to the spirit of the game” under Article 2.21.
Meanwhile, Pakistan opener Sahibzada Farhan received an official warning and one demerit point for his provocative celebration after scoring a half-century, where he mimicked firing a machine gun with his bat — a gesture that drew criticism on social media.
ICC Reiterates Zero-Tolerance Policy
The ICC reiterated its zero-tolerance policy toward unsporting behavior, emphasizing that all players are expected to uphold the spirit of cricket.
Rauf’s suspension serves as a stern reminder that repeated misconduct, even in high-pressure rivalries like India vs Pakistan, will invite strict disciplinary action.
