According to Pakistani media, Haris Rauf, a fast bowler, was given demerit points during the formal hearing for allegedly violating the ICC Code of Conduct without being told.
Geo Super reported that Rauf was informed that accepting the charge would result in a reduction in his penalty. He was fined 30% of his match fee for his refusal. The report's sources asserted, however, that the demerit points were added without informing the player or the Pakistani team management beforehand and were never discussed during the hearing.
Reports claim Haris Rauf was not told about demerit points during hearing
The ICC announced a number of sanctions on Tuesday in response to events that occurred during the September 14, 21, and 28 India-Pakistan Asia Cup matches. These games were the first time the two sides had met since the Pahalgam terror attack and the ensuing tensions across the border.
In all three interactions, tempers erupted due to provocative gestures and handshake snubs. For making offensive gestures during the match on September 14, Rauf received two demerit points and a fine equal to thirty percent of his match fee.
Following a hearing presided over by ICC Match Referee Richie Richardson in the final on September 28, Rauf was hit with two more demerit points and a further 30% fine, bringing his total to four. This resulted in a two-match suspension.
Haris Rauf’s gestures under ICC review
During the competition, Rauf was scrutinized after a number of his on-field actions directed Indian fans gained notoriety. Video clips surfaced on social media showing him responding to chants from the spectators, leading to an ICC investigation under Article 2.21 of the Code of Conduct - which relates to conduct that brings the game into disrepute.
In one clip, Rauf was shown to apparently mimic the movement of a plane going down, which was interpreted by some as a reference to unsupported claims that Pakistani jets had shot down India's planes during earlier cross-border action.
Suryakumar Yadav, the captain of India, has also been fined 30 percent of his match fee and received two demerit points for a separate violation of Article 2.21, this was likely prompted by politically motivated comments.
On the other hand, Sahibzada Farhan of Pakistan received an official warning and received a demerit point for celebrating his fifty score with a gesture resembling the firing of a gun.
