Haris Rauf Ban Controversy: A recent tweet by former umpire Richard Kettleborough is making headlines. The tweet claims that Pakistan fast bowler Haris Rauf will be banned for three matches and his entire match fee will be confiscated. This ban will begin with their match on September 21, 2025.
There has been no official statement from the ICC or the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) yet. Currently, this news is based solely on a leaked tweet, but it has sparked controversy among fans.
Why Haris Rauf’s Gestures Sparked Ban Controversy
According to Kettleborough’s post, Rauf has been punished for:
- Referencing the war on the cricket field.
- Behaving rudely with fans during and after the game.
This isn’t the first time Rauf’s actions have been discussed. During the Asia Cup 2025, he sparked controversy by waving a “6-0” sign towards Indian fans. Many believed it was related to military conflicts. He also made a model of a fighter plane with his own hands, which further fueled anger.
During the same match, Rauf nearly got into a scuffle with a fan who wanted to take a selfie. On the field, he also had heated exchanges with Indian batsman Abhishek Sharma and Shubman Gill.
🚨 HARIS RAUF – BANNED FOR 3 MATCHES 🚨
– ICC is going to impose a 3 match ban on Haris Rauf including 100% match fees from 21st sept match for bringing "War References" to the Cricket Ground & misbehaving with fans 😮
– What's your take #INDvsPAK pic.twitter.com/TtIfmlSVSY
— Richard Kettleborough (@RichKettle07) September 26, 2025
Formal complaints were filed following these incidents. The BCCI complained to the ICC about Rauf’s behaviour, while the PCB filed a complaint against Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav for his comments regarding military action.
What does the ban mean for cricket?
If a three-match ban is imposed:
- Harris Rauf will miss three international matches.
- He will also lose his entire match fee for those matches.
For many, this is a strong message from cricket authorities: players should avoid political or war-related gestures on the field. Cricket is meant to unite people, not divide them.
However, some may argue that emotions run high in India-Pakistan matches. Players are under pressure and sometimes cross the line.
Nevertheless, this controversy highlights the importance of keeping cricket free from politics and conflict.
