Because he is serving an ICC ban, Haris Rauf will not be able to play in the second ODI against South Africa, and he missed the first one on Tuesday. He has accrued four demerit points as a result of two distinct infractions committed during Pakistan’s Asia Cup 2025 game versus India.
On its official website, the ICC stated that Rauf’s infractions happened on September 14 and 28, while in reality, they happened during the games on September 21 and the final on September 28.
Bringing the game into disrepute was the violation of Article 2.21 of the ICC Code of Conduct in each case. A player automatically receives a two-match suspension after accruing four demerit points in a 24-month span.
The fines were imposed following official hearings since Rauf refused to accept the charge on both occasions.
A number of sanctions, including Rauf’s, were brought about by incidents that occurred during the three Asia Cup matches between India and Pakistan. As a result of remarks he made during India’s victory against Pakistan on September 14, India captain Suryakumar Yadav was also given two demerit points under the same allegation.
Although ESPNcricinfo covered the fines at the time, the ICC didn’t formally announce them until Tuesday, five weeks after the tournament ended. In addition, Sahibzada Farhan was given a formal warning and a demerit point for an offense on September 21; however, the ICC again claimed that it occurred on September 14.
Because of a gesture he made during the final, Jasprit Bumrah received one. Arshdeep Singh, meantime, was accused of violating Article 2.6, which deals with making an offensive, vulgar, or demeaning gesture, for his activities on September 21. Ultimately, he was acquitted.
Political tensions between India and Pakistan spilled onto the pitch during three bitter games at the Asia Cup, which led to all of the charges. Salman Agha, the captain of Pakistan, accused India of being “not in the spirit of the game” by refusing to shake hands with the Pakistani players during any of the three competitions. In response, Suryakumar asserted that “few things” were “bigger than sportsman’s spirit”.
Pakistan almost withdrew from the tournament due to tensions between the two teams after accusing match referee Andy Pycroft of preventing the players from shaking hands—a claim the ICC denied. Before the PCB and the ICC were able to resolve the situation, Pakistan’s match against the UAE was postponed for more than an hour.
India and Pakistan played in the inaugural Asia Cup final to conclude the competition. In a dramatic match, India prevailed in the last over. But the drama wasn’t over yet. ACC president and PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi insisted on giving the trophy to the Indian players directly during the presentation ceremony, but the players refused to accept it. India celebrated without the trophy on the podium following a protracted wait. As far as is known, the Indian team has yet to receive the prize.
The three-match ODI series against South Africa is presently taking place in Faisalabad, and Rauf will be available for the third match.
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