Rauf will miss Pakistan’s first two ODIs against South Africa
Digital Desk: The Pakistan fast bowler Haris Rauf has been handed a two-match suspension by the International Cricket Council (ICC) following his controversial gestures during the India vs Pakistan encounters in the Asia Cup 2025. The ICC announced the decision on Tuesday after multiple disciplinary hearings and a detailed investigation into the incidents.
Rauf was convicted to have violated ICC Code of Conduct of making indecent gestures in the direction of the crowd. During one of the matches, he was reportedly seen signaling “6-0,” an apparent reference to the Pahalgam terror attack and subsequent border tensions, as well as mimicking a plane crash gesture. These were considered as offending the spirit of the game and were found to be offensive and he was suspended together with a fine equal to 30 percent of his match fee. The pacer has been also awarded two demerit points.
As a result of the ban, Rauf will miss Pakistan’s first two ODIs against South Africa.
The penalties were also applied to other disciplinary issues involving Rauf, as the T20I captain of India, Suryakumar Yadav and pacer Jasprit Bumrah were also punished because of their behavior in an on-field dispute in the same tournament. Suryakumar was fined 30% of his match fee and awarded two demerit points, while Bumrah was issued a fine for breaching Level 1 of the ICC Code of Conduct.
Pakistan opener Sahibzada Farhan was slapped with a fine30% of his match fee, one demerit point, and warned formally after making the AK-47 gesture after scoring his half-century, which was also not acceptable by the ICC.
ICC Match Referee Richie Richardson, who conducted the disciplinary review, confirmed the sanctions after investigating incidents from matches played on September 14, 21, and 28. The ICC reiterated that such actions tarnish the spirit of cricket and will not be tolerated in any form.
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