The heated controversy between India and Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2025 has prompted the International Cricket Council (ICC) to take strict disciplinary actions against both teams’ players.
According to the ICC’s Code of Conduct, the incidents were investigated by the match referees from the Indo-Pak matches played on the 14th, 21st, and 28th of September.
While Pakistani players like Haris Rauf and Sahibzada Farhan were found guilty of breaching the ICC’s Code of Conduct, it is even more shocking to know the Indian skipper Suryakumar Yadav’s involvement in the disrespectful behavior.
Additionally, Team India’s pacers Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh were further involved in the investigation. Let’s find out if ICC has taken any disciplinary action against these players or not.
Haris Rauf Suspended for 2 International Matches
Apart from being fined upto 30% of match fees, Pakistani pacer Haris Rauf was handed 4 demerit points and suspended for the upcoming two international matches. This is because he was penalized for two separate offenses during the matches against India on September 14 and September 21.
Having added upto 4 demerit points, Rauf will not feature in Pakistan’s forthcoming 2nd and 3rd ODI fixtures against South Africa scheduled on November 06 (Thursday) and November 08 (Saturday).
As per the ICC rules, Rauf has breached both Level 1 and Level 2 within a 24-month window in the following ways:
- Level 1 Breach: (Fine Upto 50% of a Cricketer’s Match Fee) + (One or Two Demerit Points).
- Level 2 Breach: (Four or More Demerit Points) + (Two Match Suspension)
These demerit points will remain active on the player’s record for two years before being eliminated. Since Haris gathered four or more demerit points, he was set to face a ban either from one test match or two limited-overs fixtures, whichever is scheduled sooner.
Reasons Why ICC Banned Haris Rauf for 2 Matches?
Haris Rauf’s jet-crashing gesture was caught on camera several times during the match against India in the Asia Cup 2025. A few months after the Pahalgam terror attacks which 26 civilians were killed by Pakistani terrorists, his insensitive act hurt millions of Indian fans’ sentiments.
The ICC’s hearing, conducted by the match referee Richie Richardson, found Rauf guilty of violating Article 2.21 during the group stage fixture and the Super Four as well on September 14 and September 21.
No Suspension For Indian Captain Suryakumar Yadav
Suryakumar Yadav’s offense wasn’t as severe as Haris Rauf’s. Still, he was found guilty of breaching ICC’s Code of Conduct in the same tournament.
After a 7-wicket triumph over Pakistan in the group stage match of the Asia Cup 2025 on September 14 (Sunday), Suryakumar Yadav referred to the India-Pakistan cross-border tensions during the post-match presentation. The Indian skipper said that he and his men would dedicate this victory to the affected families in the Pahalgam terror attacks.
However, his comments did not go well with the Pakistani fans. As per Article 2.21 of the ICC Code of Conduct, SKY was found convicted of violating the law, such that it spoils the reputation of the sport with insulting comments.
Following ICC’s meeting to discuss the matter, the match referee, Richie Richardson, accepted that Suryakumar was found guilty of breaching the code of conduct. So, the 35-year-old has now been fined 30% of the match fees and handed 2 demerit points.
A Demerit Point For Sahibzada Farhan’s Controversial Gesture
Pakistani opening batter Sahibzada Farhan received just an official warning and was handed a single demerit point for his gun-firing celebration stunt against India in the Super Four fixture of the Asia Cup 2025 on September 21 (Sunday).
After scoring a half-century, Farhan gestured his bat like a gun and mimicked firing gunshots towards the spectators. Although it seemed to be a humorous celebration for Pakistani fans, it reopened the emotional wounds related to the Pahalgam attacks for many Indian supporters.
Bumrah Mimicked Rauf’s Jet Crashing Gesture! No Suspension
Indian pacer Jasprit Bumrah too recreated the jet crashing gesture after dismissing Haris Rauf during the Asia Cup 2025 final against Pakistan on September 28 (Sunday).
However, the 31-year-old accepted the penalty for breaching Article 2.21, and there wasn’t any formal hearing required. Bumrah has been handed a demerit point along with an official warning.
Arshdeep Singh Not Found Guilty Despite Offensive Gesture
After the completion of the Super Four match on September 21 (Sunday), the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) filed a complaint against Indian pacer Arshdeep Singh. His video became viral on social media as he was spotted reacting to Haris Rauf’s jet-crashing gesture following Pakistan’s 6-wicket defeat.
However, the hearing conducted by the ICC Match Referee Andy Pycroft revealed Arshdeep’s innocence of not breaching Article 2.6 (a gesture related to insult or offense), and no fines were imposed on him.
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Overall Verdict
The cross-border tensions between the two nations following the Pahalgam terror attacks this year, in April, have certainly influenced the on-field behaviour of players and ignited the controversy during India-Pakistan matches.
Due to the strained political relationship between the neighboring nations, the players’ sentiments were reflected on the field, leading to multiple breaches of the ICC’s code of conduct.
