India's Kranti Gaud Fined for Disciplinary Breach in T20 Asia Cup Final
India quick Kranti Gaud has been fined 10 per cent of her match fee after an animated send-off in the Women’s T20 Asia Cup final in Dubai on Sunday brought her into conflict with the ICC Code of Conduct.
Gaud was found guilty of breaching Article 2.5, a Level 1 offence that covers “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.” She also received one demerit point, the first on her disciplinary record in the last 24 months.
The flashpoint came almost immediately in Sri Lanka’s chase. Facing the first ball, Imesha Dulani improvised a lap shot and helped Gaud to the boundary. The early blow stung. Three balls later, Dulani went for the same option and this time perished, with a fired-up Gaud gesturing towards the pavilion in a pointed send-off that drew the match officials’ attention.
Match referee Supriya Rani Das proposed the sanction, which Gaud accepted, removing the need for a formal hearing.
Pakistan penalised for slow over-rate
The final was not the only match in Dubai to attract disciplinary action.
Pakistan’s players were docked five per cent of their match fees for a slow over-rate in their semi-final defeat to Sri Lanka. Chasing 131, Sri Lanka wrapped up the target in 18.4 overs, but when all time allowances were taken into account, Pakistan were still ruled to be one over short of the required rate.
Captain Fatima Sana accepted the charge after fourth umpire Rabab Ahsan laid the complaint, leaving Pakistan with a financial reminder of the fine margins that shape tournament cricket.
