Pakistan captain Fatima Sana has been fined by the International Cricket Council (ICC) for a gesture made during her team’s Asia Cup group match against India last week. The ICC imposed a fine of 10 percent of her match fee on Monday, following India's victory over Pakistan, which marked a record T20 defeat for the team.
The incident occurred after Sana dismissed Shafali Verma, who scored 12 runs off six balls, by catching and bowling her out in Sana's second over. Following the dismissal, Sana gestured towards the pavilion. The ICC stated that this action violated Article 2.5 of the ICC Code of Conduct, which pertains to “using language, actions or gestures which disparage or which could provoke an aggressive reaction from a batter upon dismissal.”
As a result of this breach, Sana received one demerit point added to her disciplinary record, marking her second offence within a 24-month period; the first occurred during a T20I against Ireland in August 2025. The ICC’s Code of Conduct outlines that Level 1 breaches can result in penalties ranging from an official reprimand to a maximum of 50 percent of a player’s match fee, along with one or two demerit points.
India has advanced to the semifinals with six points from three matches, while Pakistan seeks a win against Hong Kong on Monday. India has won a total of seven Asia Cup titles, the most recent in 2022, whereas Pakistan has never secured the title, finishing as runners-up twice against India in 2012 and 2016. Fatima Sana was appointed as Pakistan’s captain in October 2024, making her the youngest player to lead the women’s cricket team at the age of 22.