ICC reprimands Pakistan after defeat against India in Women's T20 World Cup

DUBAI: The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Tuesday penalised Pakistan for maintaining a slow over-rate in their Women's T20 World Cup 2026 campaign opener against arch-rivals India, played at Edgbaston in Birmingham on Sunday.

According to the apex body, the Green Shirts were fined five per cent of their match fees after they were ruled to be one over short of the target after time allowances were taken into consideration, with Trudy Anderson of the ICC International Panel of Match Referees imposing the sanction.

For the unversed, as per Article 2.22 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to minimum over-rate offences, players are fined five per cent of their match fee for every over their side fails to bowl in the allotted time.

Pakistan captain Fatima Sana accepted the charge after on-field umpires Claire Polosak and Jacquline Williams, third umpire Eloise Sheridan and fourth umpire Sue Redfern levelled the charge and thus eradicating the need for a formal hearing.

The penalty adds to Pakistan's woes as they suffered a gruelling 64-run defeat at the hands of traditional rivals India in their opening match of the 12-team tournament.

Opting to bat first in the high-octane fixture, India piled up a formidable total of 170/6 in their 20 overs, courtesy of Smriti Mandhana's anchoring half-century, followed by wicketkeeper batter Richa Ghosh's quickfire 34-run cameo at the backend.

In response, Pakistan could muster 106 before getting all out in 17 overs despite a spirited 41-run knock by their opener Muneeba Ali up the order.

Besides her, only Aliya Riaz (18) and her fellow top-order batters, Gull Feroza and Ayesha Zafar, 12 each, could amass double figures against a ruthless India bowling attack, led by Deepti Sharma, who registered a five-wicket haul.