The International Cricket Council (ICC) has suspended Pakistan fast bowler Haris Rauf for two matches after finding that his actions during the Asia Cup 2025 matches against India brought the game into disrepute.
According to the ICC statement, Rauf accumulated four demerit points from two separate offenses. Under the disciplinary rules, four demerit points in 24 months convert into two suspension points, which means he must miss Pakistan’s upcoming two One-Day Internationals (ODIs) against South Africa national cricket team on November 4 and November 6.
Rauf’s offending acts included making a “plane going down” gesture and a “6-0” hand sign towards Indian fans during the high-tension India-Pakistan matches.
He was also fined 30 % of his match fees in each of the two matches.
In addition, India’s Suryakumar Yadav has been fined 30 % of his match fee and given two demerit points after making a politically charged comment following India’s win over Pakistan in the tournament.
The ICC said these actions violated Article 2.21 of its Code of Conduct, dealing with behaviour that “brings the game into disrepute.”
The India-Pakistan rivalry in the Asia Cup was already heated. The two teams clashed three times in the tournament, and the atmosphere was charged by recent tensions between the countries.
In his defence, Rauf had claimed provocation from the crowd following prior incidents, but the match referees found his gestures unacceptable in the sporting context. With the ban and fine in place, this judgement is a clear signal by the ICC that even in emotionally charged matches, players must maintain decorum and respect for the spirit of the game.
For Pakistan the absence of Rauf in their opening ODIs against South Africa is a setback: as a specialist fast bowler, his availability would have been a significant advantage. For the sport itself, this case raises wider issues around player conduct, national-rivalry spectacles, and how much emotion can cross into provocation.
Going forward, both cricket boards and players will likely reflect on the balance between competitive intensity and sportsmanship. The ICC’s move shows that even big names and high-profile fixtures are not above the code.
