Pakistan captain Fatima Sana fined over Shafali Verma gesture in Asia Cup

What the report says

Pakistan captain Fatima Sana has been sanctioned by the International Cricket Council after an on-field gesture during her team’s women’s Asia Cup group match against India, according to Al Jazeera. The incident happened when Sana dismissed India opener Shafali Verma in a caught-and-bowled dismissal and then pointed toward the pavilion. The gesture was judged to breach the ICC’s conduct rules on language or actions that could disparage a batter or provoke an aggressive response.

Al Jazeera reported that Sana accepted the charge and was fined 10 percent of her match fee, along with one demerit point. The added point was her second disciplinary mark within a 24-month period, following a previous case in a T20I against Ireland in August 2025. The ICC’s Level 1 penalties can range from an official reprimand to a fine of up to half a match fee, plus demerit points.

The sanction comes after India defeated Pakistan by seven wickets in the regional tournament. India remained unbeaten and moved closer to the semifinals, while Pakistan were still seeking a win against Hong Kong in their next match. More broadly, the result adds to Pakistan’s difficult record against India in women’s Asia Cup play, where India have dominated the competition over the years.