Dubai, UAE – In the wake of a series of heated clashes between India and Pakistan during the Asia Cup 2025, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced disciplinary actions against players from both teams. The decisions, revealed today, follow hearings regarding incidents that occurred during the matches played on September 14, 21, and 28.
Pakistani fast bowler Haris Rauf has been handed a two-match suspension. This suspension means Rauf will miss Pakistan's upcoming One Day International (ODI) matches against South Africa on November 4 and 6. The ICC found Rauf guilty of breaching Article 2.21 of the ICC Code of Conduct, which relates to conduct that brings the game into disrepute. Rauf's actions included provocative gestures directed towards Indian fans, specifically his "6-0" sign and a plane celebration. He was fined 30 percent of his match fee and received two additional demerit points, bringing his total to four within a 24-month period, triggering the two-match suspension. Rauf had previously been penalized for a similar incident during the Super 4 stage.
Indian batsman Suryakumar Yadav has also been penalized, receiving a 30 percent fine of his match fee and two demerit points. This penalty stems from comments made after a match and for not participating in the post-match handshake with the Pakistani players. The ICC deemed his actions unsporting and in violation of Article 2.21 of the ICC Code. Earlier, Yadav was also fined 30% of his match fee for his 'Pahalgam tribute' comments made during the Asia Cup 2025 group stage match against Pakistan on September 14. Following India's victory, Yadav dedicated the win to the Indian Armed Forces and expressed solidarity with the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack, which prompted Pakistan to lodge an official complaint.
In addition to Rauf and Yadav, Pakistan batter Sahibzada Farhan received an official warning and one demerit point for his "gun celebration" after scoring a half-century against India during a Super 4 clash.
Meanwhile, Indian pacer Arshdeep Singh faced a charge under Article 2.6, related to obscene or insulting gestures, during the September 21 fixture. However, following a hearing, Singh was cleared, and no penalty was imposed. Jasprit Bumrah accepted a charge under Article 2.21 for conduct that brings the game into disrepute during the final against Pakistan and received an official warning, resulting in one demerit point.
The ICC's actions underscore its commitment to upholding the spirit of the game and ensuring that players adhere to the Code of Conduct. Level 1 breaches of the code can result in a minimum penalty of an official reprimand, a maximum penalty of 50 percent of a player's match fee, and one or two demerit points. Accumulating four or more demerit points within a 24-month period leads to suspension points, with two suspension points equating to a ban from one Test match or two ODIs or two T20Is.
