ICC fines Pakistan women’s captain Fatima Sana over conduct breach

DUBAI: Pakistan women’s cricket team captain Fatima Sana has been fined 10 per cent of her match fee and handed a demerit point for breaching the ICC Code of Conduct during the Women’s Asia Cup match against India in Dubai.

Fatima was found guilty of a Level 1 breach of Article 2.5 of the ICC Code of Conduct, which relates to using language, actions or gestures that disparage or could provoke an aggressive reaction from a batter following their dismissal.

The incident occurred during the second over of India’s innings when Fatima dismissed opener Shafali Verma and gestured towards the pavilion.

Fatima admitted the offence and accepted the sanction proposed by match referee Supriya Rani Das of the Emirates ICC International Panel of Match Referees, meaning no formal hearing was required.

The latest demerit point is Fatima’s second in a 24-month period. Her previous point was imposed during a T20I against Ireland in Dublin on August 6, 2025, taking her current tally to two.

Under the ICC regulations, four or more demerit points accumulated within 24 months are converted into suspension points. Two suspension points result in a ban from one Test or two ODIs or two T20Is, whichever comes first.

The sanction comes after Pakistan suffered a seven-wicket defeat against India in their Women’s Asia Cup Group A match on Saturday.

Pakistan were bowled out for just 55 in 18.1 overs, their batting collapse leaving India with a target of 56. India completed the chase in 8.4 overs for the loss of three wickets. Fatima took all three Indian wickets, finishing with 3-17.

India’s Shree Charani and Prema Rawat claimed three wickets each as Pakistan suffered their first defeat of the tournament.