In a significant disciplinary move, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has handed Pakistan’s pace spearhead Haris Rauf a two-match suspension following multiple breaches of the ICC Code of Conduct during the Asia Cup 2025.
According to an ICC statement, Rauf accumulated four demerit points within a span of 24 months a threshold that automatically triggers suspension under ICC regulations. The penalties stem from separate incidents that occurred during Pakistan’s high-pressure encounters against India in the tournament.
Sources close to the ICC revealed that Rauf was found guilty of unsportsmanlike conduct that officials deemed inconsistent with the “spirit of the game.” The incidents reportedly involved aggressive gestures and verbal exchanges on the field.
Match Referee Richie Richardson imposed fines and demerit points for Rauf’s behavior in the September 14 and September 28 fixtures. Each instance resulted in a 30% deduction from his match fee and two demerit points, pushing his total to four enough to earn an automatic two-match ban.
Meanwhile, India’s Suryakumar Yadav and Pakistan’s Saim Farhan were also fined for similar on-field actions but avoided suspension as their total demerit points remained below the limit.
As a result, Haris Rauf will miss Pakistan’s first two ODIs against South Africa, scheduled for November 4 and 6, 2025.
Under ICC’s disciplinary framework, Level 1 offences typically carry fines of up to 50% of a player’s match fee and between one to two demerit points. However, accumulating four or more points within two years leads to suspension points resulting in temporary bans from international matches.
In its statement, the ICC emphasized that maintaining discipline, respect, and sportsmanship on the field remains crucial to protecting cricket’s integrity and spirit.
