Pakistan fast bowler Haris Rauf has been fined 30% of his match fee for breaching the ICC code of conduct during the Super Four meeting with India in Dubai on 21 September. ICC match referee Richie Richardson imposed the sanction on Friday after reviewing video of the incident.
Rauf’s offence fell under the “inappropriate physical gesture” clause. Frustrated by taunts from a largely Indian crowd, he flashed a “6-0” hand signal, then mimed a descending aircraft – actions interpreted as references to the ongoing military tensions between the two nations. Speaking after the hearing, an ICC release stated: “Players are expected to uphold the spirit of the game at all times.”
Team-mate Sahibzada Farhan, who celebrated his half-century by mimicking a gunshot, escaped with a formal reprimand. Richardson felt the batter’s celebration was “ill-judged but not overtly inflammatory”.
India captain Suryakumar Yadav had already been fined 30% for comments made following the earlier group match on 14 September. He had hinted at the border conflict during a post-match media interaction. The Board of Control for Cricket in India appealed the verdict, while the Pakistan Cricket Board lodged complaints against both Rauf and Farhan. All three players pleaded not guilty, necessitating individual hearings.
Former Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq sympathised with Rauf but urged restraint. “Crowd pressure is part of international cricket,” he told Geo News. “You cannot respond every time, no matter how personal the abuse feels.”
The Super Four contest itself was edgy from the outset. At the toss India declined the customary handshake with Pakistan, a gesture that did little to cool tempers. On the field several verbal exchanges took place between Pakistan’s seamers and India’s openers. After the match, Abhishek Sharma said Pakistan were “coming at us for no reason”.
Although security officials reported no crowd trouble beyond isolated jeers, the ICC hopes swift penalties will deter further provocation. Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan supported the disciplinary stance. “A strong message was necessary,” he tweeted. “The rivalry is great for cricket, but the line is clear.”
India and Pakistan are set to meet for a third time in Sunday’s Asia Cup final, again in Dubai. Both sides have called for calm publicly, yet behind the scenes managers are understood to be reminding players of ICC protocols. Richardson added: “The spotlight on these matches is immense. Professionalism must match the passion.”
Whether the latest sanctions are enough to keep emotions in check remains to be seen, but the governing body has made its position unambiguous.
