Pakistan captain Fatima Sana was penalized for a fiery pass on Shafali Verma

Pakistan captain Fatima Sana was penalized for a dismissal gesture against Indian opener Shafali Verma during the Women’s T20 Asia Cup match in Dubai on Saturday. Sana was fined 10% of her match fee and handed one demerit point for the incident that occurred during the second end of India’s chase. It was her second offense in 24 months, bringing her total demerit points to two.

The Pakistan captain dismissed Shafali after the Indian batsman returned the catch to the bowler. As Sana celebrated the goal, she gestured towards the pavilion, signaling Shafali to leave. This gesture caught the attention of the judges.

On-field referees Nimali Perera and Shathira Jakir Jesy, along with third official Rokeya Sultana and fourth official Rabab Ahsan, charged Sana with a foul. The Pakistan captain accepted the foul in a meeting with umpire Supriya Rani Das.

Sana was found to have breached Article 2.5 of the ICC Code of Conduct, which deals with the use of language, actions or gestures that disparage the batsmen or are likely to provoke an aggressive response following a dismissal in an international match.

FATIMA SANA BLOCKED THE CELEBRATION

Commentator Vivek Razdan also took aim at Fatima Sana’s celebration and questioned the Pakistan captain’s reaction after her side were bowled out for just 55, their lowest ever total in women’s T20I cricket.

“Okay, you are showing her the way out. Your whole team scored just 55 runs and now you are sending Shafali Verma back,” said Razdan.

India claimed a comfortable victory by seven wickets after their bowlers dismantled Pakistan’s batting line-up for just 55 runs. N Shree Charani returned figures of 3 for 7 while Prema Rawat took three wickets in nine overs. Deepti Sharma took two for five with Shafali also contributing one wicket.

However, Sana was responsible for all three Indian wickets that fell during the chase.

Pakistan have one win from their first two matches and will face Hong Kong in their final group stage match on Monday night. India, meanwhile, have already sealed their place in Thursday’s first semi-final after finishing top of the group.

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Published on:

07 Sep 2026 17:18 IST