Pakistan women’s cricket captain Fatima Sana has been handed a fine equal to 10 percent of her match fee by the International Cricket Council (ICC) for an on-field gesture during the Asia Cup group stage match against India last week.
The disciplinary action was announced Monday, two days after India defeated Pakistan by seven wickets in a dominant performance that included a record-breaking bowling display in the regional tournament.
The incident occurred in Sana’s second over when she caught and bowled out Indian batter Shafali Verma. After Verma’s dismissal, Sana gestured toward the pavilion. Verma departed for 12 runs off six balls as India cruised to victory to remain unbeaten in the competition.
Sana admitted to the offence, which the ICC determined breached Article 2.5 of its Code of Conduct — a provision covering “using language, actions or gestures which disparage or which could provoke an aggressive reaction from a batter upon dismissal.”
In addition to the fine, one demerit point was added to Sana’s disciplinary record, marking her second offence of this nature within a 24-month period. Her previous breach occurred during a T20I match against Ireland in August 2025.
Under the ICC’s Code of Conduct, Level 1 breaches carry penalties ranging from an official reprimand to a maximum fine of 50 percent of a player’s match fee, along with one or two demerit points.
India have progressed to the semifinals with six points from three matches, while Pakistan will look to salvage their campaign when they face Hong Kong on Monday.
The 50-over world champions are the most successful team in Asia Cup history with seven titles, the most recent coming in 2022. Pakistan, meanwhile, have never won the tournament and have finished as runners-up twice — in 2012 and 2016.
Sana was appointed Pakistan’s captain in October 2024 at the age of 22, becoming the youngest leader in the women’s side’s history.
Asia Cup tensions are always high, but catching and bowling someone out doesn’t justify a taunt.
Shafali Verma handling it with grace while Fatima gets fined. Leadership matters.
Already a second offence in two years? This shows a pattern of poor discipline from our captain.
Captaining requires composure. That gesture was unnecessary and costly for Pakistan’s chances.