Fatima Sana Penalised for Sendoff Gesture in Asia Cup Clash

Pakistan captain Fatima Sana has been fined 10 per cent of her match fee and handed a demerit point for a breach of the ICC Code of Conduct during her side’s Women’s Asia Cup encounter against India in Dubai on Saturday.

The 24-year-old was found guilty of breaching Article 2.5, which relates to “using language, actions or gestures which disparage or which could provoke an aggressive reaction from a batter upon dismissal.” The offence occurred after Sana dismissed Shafali Verma, when she gestured towards the batter following the completion of the catch.

Second Offence in 24 Months

The sanction carries additional weight as it represents Sana’s second offence within a 24-month period, taking her demerit-point tally to two. She had previously received a demerit point during a T20I against Ireland in Dublin on August 6, 2025.

Sana admitted to the offence and accepted the sanction proposed by match referee Supriya Das, meaning no formal hearing was required.

Sana’s Performance Amid Pakistan’s Defeat

Despite Pakistan’s heavy defeat to India, Sana played a key role with the ball, finishing with three wickets after India bowled Pakistan out for 55. Shafali, who had started India’s chase aggressively, was Sana’s first wicket, chipping a simple catch back to the bowler off her sixth delivery.

Level 1 breaches carry a minimum penalty of an official reprimand and a maximum of 50 percent of a player’s match fee, along with one or two demerit points.

Pakistan have little time to dwell on their loss, with their next Asia Cup fixture against Hong Kong, China, on Monday. A victory would take them into the semi-finals.

                                               

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