Pakistan Women's Cricket Captain Fatima Sana Fined by ICC for Inappropriate Gesture

Kathmandu. International Cricket Council (ICC) has fined Pakistan women's cricket team captain Fatima Sana. She was punished after making an inappropriate gesture against India in the group stage match of the Asia Cup last week. Two days after suffering a wide defeat against India in the Asia Cup, the ICC on Monday imposed a fine of 10 percent of her match fee on Sana. Sana had gestured towards the pavilion after getting Indian batter Shafali Verma 'caught and bowled' in the second over of the match. In that match, Verma was out after scoring 12 runs off 6 balls. India defeated Pakistan by 7 wickets in the match, continuing their unbeaten run in the tournament. Fatima Sana has already accepted her mistake. She has violated Article 2.5 of the ICC Code of Conduct. That article states that 'language, behavior, or gestures that mock, insult, or provoke a batter who is out and leaving the field are not allowed'. Along with this, one demerit point has been added to her disciplinary record. This is Sana's second offense within 24 months. Earlier, she was also punished during a T20I match against Ireland in August 2025. According to the ICC Code of Conduct, Level-1 offenses range from a minimum official warning to a maximum of 50 percent match fee deduction and one or two demerit points. India, winning three consecutive matches in the tournament, has already reached the semi-finals with 6 points. Pakistan, on the other hand, is heading into the field today in search of a win against Hong Kong. The 50-over World Champions India have won the Asia Cup title a record 7 times. They last won this title in 2022. Pakistan, however, has not been able to win the Asia Cup title so far. The team was limited to runner-up twice, in 2012 and 2016, against neighboring India. Sana became the youngest captain in the history of the Pakistan women's team by taking charge of the team at the age of 22 in October 2024.