India crushed Pakistan by 7 wickets in a Women's T20 Asia Cup match in Dubai, but the conversation after the game has centred less on the lopsided scoreline and more on a heated send off from Pakistan's own captain. India Pakistan cricket contests rarely stay free of controversy, and this time the flashpoint was Fatima Sana. After taking a return catch off her own bowling to dismiss Indian opener Shafali Verma, Fatima celebrated in a manner that did not sit well with fans. Moments after the dismissal, she gestured with her hand, pointing Shafali straight towards the dressing room, a send off that many cricket followers called against the spirit of the game.
Shafali kept her cool, but fans did not hold back online
Shafali Verma chose not to react to the gesture on the field and walked back to the pavilion calmly without a word. But the restraint she showed in the middle was missing from the reaction on social media. Fatima Sana's celebration drew heavy criticism online, with fans calling it an unnecessary provocation and against the spirit of the game. Shafali had made 12 runs off just 6 balls before being dismissed, an innings that included one six and one four.
Pakistan chose to bat first, then folded for just 55
The match was India's final league game of the tournament, and both sides would have wanted a strong finish. Fatima Sana won the toss and opted to bat first without hesitation, a call that backfired badly. Facing disciplined Indian bowling, Pakistan's entire side was bowled out for just 55 runs in 18.1 overs. With such a modest target on the board, India's batters faced little real pressure while chasing it down.
Harmanpreet and Deepti calmly sealed the chase
Both Indian openers fell cheaply while chasing, but with the target so low, captain Harmanpreet Kaur was in no hurry and steadied the innings. She made 18 runs off 18 balls and, alongside Deepti Sharma, guided India home in just 8.4 overs. Smriti Mandhana contributed 9 runs and Pratika Rawal added 4, while Deepti Sharma finished unbeaten on 12. Despite the one sided result, it was Fatima Sana's controversial celebration, not the scoreline, that dominated the conversation after the match.
