Fatima Sana fined over Shafali Verma sendoff gesture

During Pakistan's Women's Asia Cup match against India in Dubai on Saturday, Pakistan captain Fatima Sana was assessed a demerit point and a ten percent fine for a Level 1 violation of the International Cricket Council's Code of Conduct.

Fatima was found guilty of violating Article 2.5, which states that she should not "use language, actions, or gestures that disparage or which could provoke an aggressive reaction from a batter upon dismissal." When Fatima made a gesture in the direction of the pavilion after completing the catch, the offense occurred after she dismissed Shafali Verma.

It was Fatima's second offense in 24 months, bringing her total of demerit points to two. She had previously been penalized one point in a T20I against Ireland on August 6, 2025, in Dublin.

In spite of Pakistan's crushing defeat to India, Fatima had contributed significantly with the bat, taking three wickets after India bowled Pakistan out for 55. Fatima took her first wicket when she caught Shafali with a straightforward catch back to the bowler off her sixth delivery, who had aggressively started India's chase.

Fatima admitted the offense and accepted the penalty that match referee Supriya Das proposed, so there was no need for a formal hearing. Level 1 infractions result in one or two demerit points, a minimum sanction of an official reprimand, and a maximum penalty of fifty percent of the player's match fee.

With their next Asia Cup match on Monday against Hong Kong, China, Pakistan has little time to dwell on their defeat to India. They would advance to the semi-finals with a victory.