The International Cricket Council has announced disciplinary sanctions following the knockout stage of the Women’s Asia Cup 2026 in Dubai. India pacer Kranti Gaud was fined for her send-off to Sri Lankan batter Imesha Dulani during the final, while the Pakistan women’s team was penalised for maintaining a slow over rate in their semi-final against Sri Lanka. The two incidents have added a disciplinary angle to the closing stages of the tournament.
Kranti Gaud Penalised for Send Off
The Gaud Women’s Asia Cup penalty came after an incident during the opening over of Sri Lanka’s chase in the final at the Dubai International Stadium. Gaud dismissed opener Imesha Dulani and then made an aggressive gesture pointing towards the pavilion as the batter walked off the field.
The incident was considered a breach of Level 1 of Article 2.5 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel. The provision covers language, actions or gestures that could provoke an aggressive reaction from a dismissed batter.
Gaud was fined 10% of her match fee and received one demerit point for the offence. It was her first demerit point during the applicable 24-month period.
The charge was brought by on-field umpires Saleema Imtiaz and Shathira Jakir Jesy, third umpire Rokeya Sultana and fourth umpire Humaira Farah. Gaud admitted the offence and accepted the sanction proposed by match referee Supriya Rani Das, meaning that a formal hearing was not required.
Kranti Gaud’s Send-Off Controversy
Kranti Gaud’s send off controversy occurred during an important stage of the final, but the disciplinary action did not change the outcome of the match. India went on to dismiss Sri Lanka for 111 and secured a 72-run victory.
The win gave India a record extending eighth Women’s Asia Cup title. Gaud’s sanction was therefore separate from the result and related specifically to her conduct after the dismissal.
Pakistan Fined for Slow Over Rate
Pakistan also faced disciplinary action following their semi-final defeat against Sri Lanka. The Pakistan women’s team was found to have been one over short of its required target after time allowances were taken into consideration.
Match referee G.S. Lakshmi determined that the team had breached Article 2.22 of the ICC Code of Conduct, which deals with minimum over rate offences. Under the regulation, players are fined 5% of their match fee for every over their team falls short.
As Pakistan were one over short, all players were fined 5% of their match fees. Captain Fatima Sana pleaded guilty and accepted the sanction, avoiding the need for a formal hearing.
The charge was raised by on-field umpires Vrinda Rathi and Shathira Jakir Jesy, third umpire Rokeya Sultana and fourth umpire Rabab Ahsan.
Women’s Asia Cup Disciplinary Action
The two cases highlight different types of disciplinary measures that can arise during an international tournament. Gaud’s punishment related to player conduct following a dismissal, while Pakistan’s sanction resulted from the team’s over rate during a knockout match.
The Women’s Asia Cup 2026 controversy surrounding Gaud’s send-off therefore ended with a financial penalty and a demerit point, while Pakistan’s slow over rate resulted in match fee deductions for the entire team. Both cases were resolved through admissions and accepted sanctions, bringing the tournament’s disciplinary matters to a close alongside India’s successful title campaign.
