Pakistan fast bowler Haris Rauf has been handed a two-match suspension by the ICC after accumulating four demerit points from two separate breaches of the Code of Conduct during the Asia Cup 2025. The ban ruled him out of Pakistan’s first two ODIs against South Africa, with the pacer set to return for the third game in Faisalabad.
According to the ICC, Rauf’s offences occurred in the matches against India on September 14 and September 28, both involving violations of Article 2.21 — which deals with actions that bring the game into disrepute. Rauf contested both charges, prompting formal hearings, after which the disciplinary panel upheld the sanctions. His four demerit points triggered the automatic two-match suspension.
The ICC also announced penalties for several other players following a series of ill-tempered encounters between India and Pakistan throughout the tournament. India captain Suryakumar Yadav received two demerit points for post-match comments made after India’s victory on September 14, while Jasprit Bumrah was penalized with one demerit point for a gesture during the final. Pakistan’s Sahibzada Farhan was issued an official warning and one demerit point for his actions in the same September 14 fixture.
Meanwhile, Arshdeep Singh faced a charge under Article 2.6, which pertains to using obscene or offensive gestures, but was found not guilty after a review.
The ICC’s confirmation comes five weeks after the conclusion of the Asia Cup, despite earlier reports from ESPNcricinfo regarding the disciplinary proceedings.
The India–Pakistan clashes during the 2025 Asia Cup were marred by controversy and heightened political tension. India’s refusal to shake hands with Pakistani players in all three meetings drew sharp criticism from Pakistan captain Salman Agha, who called it “against the spirit of the game.” Suryakumar responded that “a few things are bigger than sportsman’s spirit,” intensifying the war of words between the two camps.
The friction nearly led to Pakistan withdrawing from the tournament, after the PCB accused match referee Andy Pycroft of preventing players from shaking hands — a claim later disputed by the ICC. The disagreement even delayed Pakistan’s group game against the UAE by over an hour before the matter was resolved.
The drama carried into the final — the first-ever India–Pakistan Asia Cup title clash — which India won in a last-over thriller. However, post-match tensions persisted when India’s players refused to accept the trophy from ACC president and PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi. After a prolonged standoff, the Indian team celebrated on the podium without the trophy, which reportedly still remains with the organizers.
Rauf’s suspension and the slew of sanctions have capped off what was one of the most politically charged and emotionally fraught Asia Cups in recent memory — a tournament remembered as much for its cricketing drama as its off-field controversies.
