The International Cricket Council (ICC) has suspended Pakistan’s fast bowler Haris Rauf for two matches after he accumulated four demerit points within 24 months, triggering an automatic suspension under ICC regulations, 24NewsHD TV reported.
In a press release issued on Tuesday, the ICC stated that Rauf’s suspension stems from multiple breaches of the Code of Conduct committed during the Asia Cup 2025, particularly in Pakistan’s encounters against India on September 14, 21, and 28.
The hearings were conducted by members of the Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees.
During the September 14 group-stage match, Match Referee Richie Richardson found Rauf guilty of violating Article 2.21 — conduct that brings the game into disrepute.
During an ill-tempered game in Dubai, Rauf was seen responding to heckling from Indian fans by signalling 6-0 with his hands and making gestures depicting the downing of aircraft, in an apparent reference to the military conflict between India and Pakistan in May this year.
He was fined 30 percent of his match fee and received two demerit points.
With the addition of these two points, Rauf’s total reached four demerit points within the two-year window, which under ICC rules converts automatically into two suspension points.
Consequently, Rauf will miss Pakistan’s first two ODIs against South Africa, scheduled for November 4 and 6, 2025, in Faisalabad.
India’s Suryakumar Yadav was also fined 30 percent for the same offence, while Pakistan’s Sahibzada Farhan received a formal warning and one demerit point.
Pakistan batter Sahibzada Farhan was not fined and let off with a warning by Richardson. Farhan had celebrated his fifty by mimicking a gunshot.
On September 21, Indian pacer Arshdeep Singh was cleared of an alleged breach under Article 2.6, which concerns the use of obscene or offensive gestures, following a hearing led by Match Referee Andy Pycroft.
India’s Jasprit Bumrah also accepted a charge under the same article, receiving a warning and one demerit point.
According to ICC regulations, Level 1 breaches carry a minimum penalty of an official reprimand and a maximum fine of 50% of the match fee, along with one or two demerit points.
When a player accumulates four or more demerit points within 24 months, they are converted into suspension points — with two suspension points equating to a ban from one Test match or two limited-overs games (ODIs or T20Is).
Demerit points remain on a player’s disciplinary record for 24 months before being automatically removed.