Pakistan captain Fatima Sana has been fined 10 per cent of her match fee for breaching Level 1 of the ICC Code of Conduct during Pakistan’s Group A match against India in the Women’s Asia Cup in Dubai on Saturday. Sana was found to have breached Article 2.5 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel. The penalty also includes one demerit point.
Article 2.5 relates to “using language, actions or gestures which disparage, or which could provoke an aggressive reaction from a batter upon his/her dismissal during an International Match.” The incident took place during India’s innings. Sana had dismissed opener Shafali Verma and then gestured towards the pavilion. She admitted the offence and accepted the sanction proposed by Supriya Rani Das of the Emirates ICC International Panel of Match Referees, meaning there was no formal hearing.
The added demerit point is Sana’s second offence in a 24-month period, taking her total to two demerit points during that time. Her earlier demerit point came during the first match of a T20I series against Ireland in Dublin on 6 August 2025. The latest charge was brought by on-field umpires Nimali Perera and Shathira Jakir Jesy, along with third umpire Rokeya Sultana and fourth umpire Rabab Ahsan.
Sana also played an important role with the ball in the match. She bowled 3 overs, conceded 17 runs and took 3 wickets, finishing with an economy rate of 5.66. She bowled 1 wide during her spell. Her three wickets were Shafali Verma, Smriti Mandhana and Pratika Rawal. Sana’s bowling figures were one of the main points from Pakistan’s performance, although the team could not turn her effort into a victory.
The match itself ended with India Women winning by 7 wickets. Pakistan Women were bowled out for 55, after which India reached 57/3 in 8.4 overs while chasing a target of 56. India completed the chase with 68 balls remaining. Sana took all 3 of India’s wickets to fall, but Pakistan could not defend the small total. India Women received 2 points, while Pakistan Women received 0 points in the tournament in Dubai.
Under the ICC rules, a Level 1 breach can lead to an official reprimand, a fine of up to 50 per cent of a player’s match fee, and one or two demerit points. Sana’s punishment is a 10 per cent fine and one demerit point. Because she admitted the offence and accepted the sanction proposed by the match referee, the matter did not go to a formal hearing. The charge and punishment have now been recorded under the ICC Code of Conduct.
The ICC also has clear rules for players who collect demerit points. When a player reaches four or more demerit points within a 24-month period, those points are converted into suspension points and the player is banned. Two suspension points mean a ban from one Test or two ODIs or two T20Is, whatever comes first for the player. Demerit Points remain on a Player or Player Support Personnel’s disciplinary record for twenty-four (24) months from their imposition following which they will be expunged.
Sana’s case after the match therefore includes both a match contribution and a disciplinary action from the same game. Her figures of 3 wickets for 17 runs in 3 overs, with an economy rate of 5.66 and 1 wide, showed her impact with the ball. However, India won by 7 wickets after reaching 57/3 in 8.4 overs. Sana has received a 10 per cent fine and one demerit point, taking her total to two within a 24-month period.
