Haris Rauf Fined Ahead of Pakistan vs India Asia Cup 2025 Final

Sep 27, 2025 - 14:00

Tensions between India and Pakistan hit another flashpoint before the Asia Cup 2025 final, as Pakistan fast bowler Haris Rauf was convicted of violating the ICC code of conduct in the Super Four match on September 21.

ICC match referee Richie Richardson fined Rauf 30 percent of his match fee after the Pakistani player reacted to heckling by the Indian fans with provocative gestures. Rauf was captured on camera waving 6-0 with his hands and imitating aircraft downing, which was understood as a hint towards the recent military war between the two countries.

Sahibzada Farhan, a Pakistani batter who celebrated his half-century in the same game by imitating a gunshot, got away with a warning. On the Indian side, captain Suryakumar Yadav was already fined 30 percent of his match fee after comments associated with the military conflict were made on September 14, after the group-stage match.

Both the PCB and BCCI cricket boards lodged complaints, and all three players were found not guilty, compelling Richardson to hold hearings this week. Also, the September 14 group stage was already tarnished with controversy after India allegedly declined to shake hands with the Pakistani players at the start and end of the match, which India won by seven wickets.

The Super Four game became even more heated, with Pakistan bowlers and Indian openers trading insults and Indian batman Abhishek Sharma accusing Pakistan of an unprovoked attack on the Indians.

As the Asia Cup final is scheduled for Sunday in Dubai, these incidents have simply added drama to one of the most intense rivalries in cricket. Plus, the fans on either side are now anticipating what is sure to be a hot game between the two sides, which might be a contest of temper and talent on the field.