Gull Feroza fined by ICC for showing dissent during Hong Kong match

Pakistan batter Gull Feroza has been fined 10% of her match fee and handed one demerit point for breaching the ICC Code of Conduct during the ACC Women’s Asia Cup match against Hong Kong.

DUBAI: Pakistan batter Gull Feroza has been fined 10% of her match fee and handed one demerit point for breaching the ICC Code of Conduct during the ACC Women’s Asia Cup match against Hong Kong.

According to the International Cricket Council (ICC), Gull was found guilty of violating Article 2.8 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to showing dissent at an umpire’s decision.

The incident took place during the fifth over of Pakistan’s innings. Gull was given out leg-before wicket (LBW) and subsequently indicated her disagreement with the on-field umpire’s decision.

The ICC said the Pakistan top-order batter gestured towards her bat, appearing to suggest that she had edged the delivery rather than being dismissed LBW.

As a result, Gull was handed a 10% fine and one demerit point. The latest penalty represents her second offence under the Code of Conduct within a 24-month period, taking her total to two demerit points during that timeframe.

Gull acknowledged the offence and accepted the sanction proposed by Supriya Rani Das, a member of the Emirates ICC International Panel of Match Referees. Since the batter accepted the proposed penalty, no formal disciplinary hearing was required.

The charge was brought by the match officials, including on-field umpires Rabab Ahsan and Rokeya Sultana, third umpire Shivani Mishra and fourth umpire Shathira Jakir.

The penalty comes just two days after Pakistan women’s team captain Fatima Sana was also sanctioned by the ICC during the Women’s Asia Cup.

Sana was fined 10% of her match fee for breaching Article 2.5 of the ICC Code of Conduct during Pakistan’s Group A match against India.

That provision concerns language, actions or gestures that could disparage a batter or provoke an aggressive reaction following a dismissal.

With both Gull Feroza and Fatima Sana receiving disciplinary penalties in the space of a few days, Pakistan’s women’s team has faced increased scrutiny over on-field conduct during the tournament.

Gull’s latest sanction, however, remains a Level 1 offence under the ICC Code of Conduct. By accepting the penalty, the batter avoided the need for a formal hearing and the matter has now been concluded through the agreed sanction.