Cricket’s governing body, the International Cricket Council (ICC), has announced disciplinary sanctions against several players from India and Pakistan following a series of heated encounters during the 2025 Asia Cup.
India’s T20 captain Suryakumar Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Pakistan’s Haris Rauf, and Sahibzada Farhan were all found guilty of breaching the ICC Code of Conduct during matches between the two arch-rivals on September 14, 21, and 28.
The ICC confirmed that the hearings were conducted by members of the Elite Panel of Match Referees, with charges primarily concerning breaches of Article 2.21 — conduct that brings the game into disrepute.
September 14, 2025 – India vs Pakistan
The first clash of the tournament witnessed multiple disciplinary actions. India’s Suryakumar Yadav, Pakistan’s Haris Rauf, and Sahibzada Farhan were all found guilty of violating Article 2.21.
Suryakumar and Rauf were each fined 30 per cent of their match fees and received two demerit points apiece, while Farhan was issued an official warning and one demerit point.
September 21, 2025 – India vs Pakistan
During the second meeting between the two sides, India’s Arshdeep Singh faced an allegation under Article 2.6, which deals with obscene or offensive gestures. However, the Match Referee found him not guilty, and no penalty was imposed.
September 28, 2025 – Asia Cup Final
The high-stakes final in Dubai saw further disciplinary measures. India’s Jasprit Bumrah accepted a charge under Article 2.21 for unsporting conduct, receiving one demerit point. Since Bumrah accepted the sanction, no formal hearing was necessary.
Pakistan pacer Haris Rauf was once again penalized for breaching the same article, fined another 30 per cent of his match fee, and handed two additional demerit points. The repeat offence took Rauf’s total to four demerit points within a 24-month period, automatically triggering two suspension points under the ICC’s disciplinary framework.
As a result, Rauf will be suspended for Pakistan’s upcoming One-Day International fixtures against South Africa on November 4 and 6.
Suryakumar and Bumrah’s charges, though minor in isolation, come as reminders of the ICC’s stricter enforcement of on-field behaviour, particularly during high-intensity rivalries such as India vs Pakistan. The governing body reiterated that maintaining discipline and upholding the spirit of the game remain top priorities for the sport’s integrity.
