Haris Rauf fined and given demerit by ICC after clash with Will Jacks in Lahore
Pakistan fast bowler Haris Rauf was fined 20 per cent of his match fee and handed a demerit point by the International Cricket Council after an altercation with England all-rounder Will Jacks during their ODI in Lahore on Sunday. The ICC charged Rauf under Article 2.2 of its Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel.
The incident occurred at the end of the 46th over of Pakistan's innings, with Rauf at the non-striker's end having appealed for a wide before entering into an argument with Jacks. Match officials said Rauf raised his bat during the exchange and continued to argue despite a warning from umpire Sharfuddoula Ibne Shahid, then brushed past the umpire as he walked towards the England player. The charge was classified as a Level 1 breach relating to conduct contrary to the spirit of the game.
The sanction increases Rauf's disciplinary record to five demerit points in a 24-month period, the ICC noted, and the latest demerit point was recorded as his third offence within 24 months. Rauf and England captain Harry Brook both admitted their respective offences and accepted the sanctions proposed by match referee Jeff Crowe, so no formal hearings were required.
Under ICC regulations a player who accumulates four or more demerit points within 24 months receives suspension points, and two suspension points result in a ban from one Test, two ODIs or two T20Is depending on the format in which the player next appears. England were also penalised in the same match, fined 15 per cent of their match fee after being found three overs short of the required rate once time allowances were taken into account. The ICC's playing conditions specify a fine of five per cent of a player's match fee for each over a team falls short of the required over rate.
The disciplinary action followed a dramatic finish to Sunday's game as Pakistan beat England by one wicket to reach the tri-series final. Chasing 243, Pakistan were reduced to 154 for nine before Shadab Khan and Rauf compiled an unbeaten 89-run partnership for the final wicket; Shadab finished with an unbeaten century and Rauf struck the winning run with 17 balls remaining.
Pakistan will meet Sri Lanka in the final on October 31. If Rauf accrues further demerit points within the 24-month window he will trigger suspension points under the ICC process.
