Fatima Sana and Shafali Verma (Photo: X@Sonysportsnetwork)
Pakistan women’s team captain Fatima Sana has been fined by the International Cricket Council (ICC) for violating the Code of Conduct after making an aggressive gesture towards Indian opener Shafali Verma during the Women’s Asia Cup T20 match in Dubai on Saturday, September 5, 2026 at 18:30 GMT. Sana, a 24-year-old right-arm medium fast bowler, was handed a fine of 10% of her match fee and a demerit point for the incident that occurred during the second over of India’s innings. ‘Still the best team’, Wahab Riaz makes strange statement after Pakistan’s defeat to India in 2026 Women’s Asia Cup.
The sanction was Sana’s second offense in a 24-month period, bringing her total penalty points to two. Her previous penalty point was awarded on August 6, 2025, during the T20 International series against Ireland in Dublin.
Details of the incident
The incident occurred when Fatima Sana dismissed dangerous 22-year-old Indian opener Shafali Verma. After his dismissal, Sana made an aggressive gesture towards Verma, which was considered a violation of the ICC rules of conduct. The match took place as part of the Group A matches of the ongoing Women’s Asia Cup T20 tournament.
Violation of the ICC Code of Conduct
Fatima Sana was found to have violated Article 2.5 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Support Personnel. This article specifically addresses “the use of expressions, actions or gestures that are degrading or likely to provoke an aggressive reaction on the part of the batter when he/she is dismissed during an international match.” A Level 1 violation such as this will usually result in a penalty ranging from a formal reprimand to a fine of up to 50% of the player’s fee, as well as one or two demerit points.
Sana accepted the charge and the proposed sanction, eliminating the need for a formal hearing. This prompt recognition ensures that the matter is resolved without further disciplinary proceedings.
Impact of penalty points
Penalty points awarded serve as a deterrent against repeat violations of the Code of Conduct. If a player accumulates four or more penalty points within a 24-month period, they are converted into suspension points, resulting in disqualification from international matches. Two points of suspension equate to a suspension of one Test match or two One Day Internationals/Twenty20 Internationals, whichever comes first. Sana’s current score of two penalty points means she is halfway through a potential suspension if further offenses occur. ‘Absolute Domination’ is the reaction of netizens to India’s one-sided victory over Pakistan in the 2026 Women’s Asia Cup between IND and PAK.
Both Fatima Sana, the current captain of the Pakistan women’s team, and Shafali Verma, the key and explosive newcomer to the Indian team, are key figures in international women’s cricket. Such incidents, although subject to the ICC’s disciplinary system, serve as a reminder of the heightened emotions in high-stakes competitions between rival countries.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 7, 2026 05:09 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website lately.com).