Post by : Meena Ariff

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has issued a two‑match ban to Pakistan fast bowler Haris Rauf after finding he accumulated four demerit points for inappropriate on‑field behaviour during the Asia Cup. The ruling stems from breaches of Article 2.21 of the ICC Code of Conduct related to his repeated jet‑crashing gestures in the final and an earlier match versus India.

Reports indicate Rauf was not advised by the match referee that accepting the charge might have reduced his sanction, and that the demerit points were added following the hearing without prior notice to the 31‑year‑old. At the hearing, overseen by ICC match referee Richie Richardson, Rauf’s conduct was classified as violations of the Code. Besides the suspension, the ICC has docked 30% of his match fee and applied two demerit points for each separate breach.

Other players were also dealt with for contentious celebrations during the tournament. Pakistan batsman Sahibzada Farhan received a reprimand after making an AK‑47 gesture following a half‑century against India. India’s Jasprit Bumrah and Suryakumar Yadav were similarly sanctioned. Arshdeep Singh, accused of making an obscene or insulting gesture, was cleared and faced no penalty.

The ICC’s actions highlight its stance on preserving discipline and fair play in international cricket. Encounters between India and Pakistan at the Asia Cup are often intense and emotional, and the governing body’s response underlines a zero‑tolerance approach to conduct deemed inappropriate on the field.

Rauf’s suspension affects his availability for upcoming matches, and the demerit points will remain on his record for two years, during which any further offences could attract harsher punishments. The ICC says it will continue to oversee player behaviour to protect the spirit of the game.

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