The ICC fined Pakistan captain Fatima Sana after an incident during the Women’s Asia Cup 2026 in Dubai.
The incident occurred during Pakistan’s seven-wicket loss to India on September 5. Fatima Sana produced an impressive bowling performance and claimed all three Indian wickets.
However, her celebration after dismissing Shafali Verma prompted the ICC to take disciplinary action. The governing body announced the punishment on September 7.
The ICC found that Sana had breached Article 2.5 of its Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel.
What Happened Between Fatima Sana and Shafali Verma?
The incident happened in the second over of India’s chase. India were chasing only 56 after Pakistan were bowled out for 55, but Shafali started the chase in typical attacking fashion. She struck 12 runs from six balls before attempting another aggressive shot against Sana.
The Indian opener chipped the ball straight back towards the bowler, allowing Sana to complete a caught-and-bowled dismissal. Sana then celebrated by pointing towards the pavilion and gesturing for Shafali to leave the field. While celebrations are a normal part of cricket, match officials considered the gesture excessive enough to fall under the ICC’s rules on player conduct.
Article 2.5 covers the use of language, actions or gestures that disparage a batter or could provoke an aggressive reaction following a dismissal. The charge was levelled by on-field umpires Nimali Perera and Shathira Jakir Jesy, along with third umpire Rokeya Sultana and fourth umpire Rabab Ahsan.
Fatima Sana Accepts the Charge and Penalty
Sana admitted the offence and accepted the sanction proposed by match referee Supriya Rani Das of the Emirates ICC International Panel of Match Referees. Because she accepted both the offence and the proposed punishment, there was no need for a formal hearing.
The penalty was a 10 per cent deduction from her match fee and one demerit point. The offence was classified as a Level 1 breach. Under the ICC’s Code of Conduct, Level 1 offences can result in anything from an official reprimand to a fine of up to 50 per cent of the player’s match fee, along with one or two demerit points.
Second Offence in 24 Months
The latest punishment is more significant because it is Sana’s second disciplinary offence within 24 months. She had already received one demerit point during Pakistan’s T20I against Ireland in Dublin on August 6, 2025.
With the additional point for the Shafali incident, Sana now has two active demerit points on her record within the current 24-month period. The ICC system becomes more serious when a player reaches four or more demerit points during the same 24-month window. Those points are converted into suspension points.
Two suspension points can result in a ban from one Test, two ODIs or two T20Is, depending on which format comes first for the player. Demerit points remain active for 24 months from the date they are imposed before being removed from the disciplinary record.
That means Sana will need to be more careful about her conduct in the coming months. She is not facing a suspension at present, but another offence could increase the pressure on her disciplinary record.
Sana’s Performance Was Not the Problem
Interestingly, Sana was one of the few Pakistan players who made a real impact during the heavy defeat against India. Pakistan’s batting collapsed for just 55 runs, their lowest total in Women’s T20I cricket against India. The Indian bowlers kept control throughout the innings, leaving India with a simple target.
Sana then fought back with the ball. She finished with three wickets for 17 runs from her three overs, including the dismissal of Shafali. However, her effort was not enough to prevent India from completing the chase in only 8.4 overs for a seven-wicket win.
For Sana, the match therefore had two very different sides. Her bowling was a bright spot in a poor Pakistan performance, while her reaction to Shafali’s dismissal ended up costing her financially and adding another point to her disciplinary record.
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Pakistan Bounce Back and Reach Semi-Finals
Pakistan will now face Sri Lanka in the second semi-final on September 11 in Dubai. India have already secured their place in the other semi-final.
For Sana, the focus will now shift back to cricket. Her team is still in contention for the Asia Cup title, but the captain will also know that her latest disciplinary mark leaves little room for another similar incident.
The Shafali send-off lasted only a few seconds. Its consequences, however, will remain on Fatima Sana’s record for much longer.
