Pakistan’s fiery pacer Haris Rauf has landed himself in hot water after the International Cricket Council (ICC) officially announced disciplinary sanctions against several players involved in the heated India-Pakistan encounters during the 2025 Asia Cup. The ICC confirmed that Rauf has been handed a two-match suspension, ruling him out of Pakistan’s second and third ODIs against South Africa in the ongoing bilateral series.
The decision follows multiple breaches of the ICC Code of Conduct during two separate Asia Cup matches — the group-stage clash on September 14 and the final on September 28. Rauf was fined 30% of his match fees and handed two demerit points for each offence, bringing his total to four demerit points within 24 months.
According to ICC regulations, this accumulation automatically triggers two suspension points, leading to a two-match ban. Haris Rauf wasn’t the only player sanctioned. India’s Suryakumar Yadav was also penalised for misconduct during the group-stage match, losing 30% of his match fees and receiving two demerit points for breaching Article 2.21, which pertains to conduct that brings the game into disrepute. His on-field altercation with Pakistan’s S.
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Farhan, who was issued an official warning and one demerit point, became one of the most talked-about moments of the tournament. In contrast, India’s Arshdeep Singh was cleared of wrongdoing after the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) lodged a complaint alleging the use of offensive gestures. The ICC Match Referee Andy Pycroft found him not guilty, stating that no sanction was warranted under Article 2.6.
Meanwhile, Indian pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah accepted a charge under Article 2.21 for his behaviour in the Asia Cup final, receiving one demerit point and an official warning. Since Bumrah admitted guilt and accepted the sanction, a formal hearing was not required.
The ICC’s final statement emphasised that Haris Rauf’s repeat offence and overall disciplinary record left the governing body with little choice but to suspend. Under ICC rules, four demerit points within two years equate to two suspension points, which translates to a ban of one Test match or two limited-overs matches, whichever comes first.
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For India, the sanctions serve as a warning — Suryakumar Yadav now sits two demerit points away from suspension until 2027, while Bumrah is three points short of facing similar consequences.
The Asia Cup’s fiery India-Pakistan clashes may have thrilled fans. However, for some players, the aftermath has proven just as intense — reminding everyone that passion must still bow to discipline on cricket’s grandest stages.
