ICC suspends Pakistan’s Haris Rauf, fines Suryakumar Yadav for Asia Cup row
The ICC has come out with the verdict of their disciplinary hearings during the heated India vs Pakistan matches during the Asia Cup as Haris Rauf was handed a two-game ban, while Suryakumar was fined 30 percent of his match fees.
Haris Rauf gestures towards spectators (AP Photo)
Pakistan’s Haris Rauf has been banned for two games while Suryakumar Yadav was fined thirty percent of his match fees and two demerit points as the ICC announced the outcomes of the official hearings regarding India vs Pakistan matches during the Asia Cup.
Rauf had come up with multiple provocative gestures during the Asia Cup clashes, and Suryakumar was accused of making politically charged remarks after snubbing handshakes with Pak players. The hearing was done by the members of the ICC’s Elite Panel of Match Referees following incidents during the matches between the arch-rivals on September 14, 21 and 28. Suryakumar was found guilty of a breach of Article 2.21 of the ICC Code of Conduct, which relates to conduct that brings the game into disrepute.
Sahibzada Farhan was found guilty of the same offence and issued an official warning, along with one demerit point, for his gun celebration after scoring a fifty against India during the Super 4 clash in Dubai. Arshdeep Singh wasn’t found guilty of an alleged breach of Article 2 for his gesture following India’s win in the Super 4 clash had gone viral.
Jasprit Bumrah did the same gesture that Rauf used during the Super 4 match after dismissing the Pakistan bowler and accepted his sanction of one demerit point.
ICC’s RULING
14 September 2025 – India vs. Pakistan
Following a hearing conducted by ICC Match Referee Richie Richardson:
Suryakumar Yadav (India) was found guilty of a breach of Article 2.21 of the ICC Code of Conduct, which relates to conduct that brings the game into disrepute. He was fined 30 per cent of his match fee and received two demerit points.
S. Farhan (Pakistan) was found guilty of the same offence and was issued an official warning, receiving one demerit point.
Haris Rauf (Pakistan) was also found guilty of the same offence and fined 30 per cent of his match fee, resulting in two demerit points.
21 September 2025 – India vs. Pakistan
Following a hearing conducted by ICC Match Referee Andy Pycroft:
Arshdeep Singh (India) was found not guilty of an alleged breach of Article 2.6, which pertains to using a gesture that is obscene, offensive or insulting, and therefore no sanction was imposed.
28 September 2025 – Final, India vs. Pakistan
Jasprit Bumrah (India) accepted a charge under Article 2.21 for conduct that brings the game into disrepute and the proposed sanction of an official warning, which resulted in one demerit point. As he accepted the sanction, no formal hearing was required.
Following a hearing conducted by ICC Match Referee Richie Richardson, Haris Rauf (Pakistan) was again found guilty of a breach of Article 2.21. He was fined 30 per cent of his match fee and received two additional demerit points.
IND vs PAK: ASIA CUP INCIDENTS
Haris Rauf – “6-0” and plane gesture
Haris Rauf found himself in the spotlight several times during the Asia Cup encounters. At one point, when Indian fans taunted him with chants of “Kohli, Kohli” — recalling Virat Kohli’s two iconic sixes off him in the 2022 T20 World Cup at the MCG — Rauf responded by signaling “6-0” with his hands. Later, he added another controversial moment by mimicking a descending airplane gesture, which many interpreted online as a pointed dig at the Indian supporters. The gestures quickly went viral, leading to heated debate on social media and a review under the ICC’s Code of Conduct.
Sahibzada Farhan – Gun celebration
Pakistan opener Sahibzada Farhan caught attention with his celebratory act after completing his half-century. He raised his bat like a rifle and mimed firing shots towards his team’s dugout. While some fans viewed it as an energetic and playful celebration, others felt it was inappropriate given the sensitive nature of India-Pakistan contests. The incident triggered widespread discussions online about where the line should be drawn when expressing emotion in such high-pressure games.
Suryakumar Yadav – Refusal to shake hands
Before the Asia Cup, there had already been public debate in India about whether matches against Pakistan should even take place amid ongoing political tensions. Following India’s victory, Suryakumar Yadav and a few teammates chose not to participate in the customary post-match handshake, instead walking straight back to the dressing room. The Pakistani players waited near the boundary expecting the usual gesture. Suryakumar’s decision was widely seen as reflecting the strong sentiment among Indian fans regarding the fixture.
