Pakistan fast bowler Haris Rauf has been banned from two matches for violating the ICC’s code of conduct during the Asia Cup in September, the world governing body announced on Tuesday.
India’s Suryakumar Yadav and Jasprit Bumrah as well as Pakistan’s Sahibzada Farhan were also found guilty of the same offence under article 2.21 of the ICC’s code of conduct, which refers to “conduct that brings the game into disrepute”, the ICC said in a statement.
The rival teams have a history of tense relations, with matches between them often having an added political dimension after the nuclear-armed neighbours fought a short but bloody war in May.
The teams met three times in the eight-team tournament, with India winning all three encounters. Defending champions India also refused to shake hands with Pakistani players during the matches.
The ICC did not give the details of the offences in its statement on Tuesday, though ESPNcricinfo reported in September that Rauf had made repeated gestures to indicate aircraft crashing, while Farhan celebrated by pointing his bat as if it was a gun.
India captain Yadav made a comment about dedicating their victory over Pakistan on September 14 to the Indian armed forces, with the Pakistan Cricket Board lodging a complaint with the ICC. Cricinfo also reported on Tuesday that Bumrah was cited for a gesture he made during the final.
India, the winner of the final on September 28, declined to receive the trophy from the Asian Cricket Council president and Pakistan’s interior minister Mohsin Naqvi.
Rauf, who had accumulated four demerit points for two offences, will be out of the Pakistani side for their ODI matches against South Africa on Tuesday and Thursday. He was also fined 30 per cent of his match fees in two matches.
Yadav was also fined 30 per cent of his match fees in one match. Bumrah and Farhan received official warnings.