Double Trouble for Pakistan: ICC Penalizes Sidra Ameen After India Defeat

Colombo (The Uttam Hindu): Pakistan’s dismal run in the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 continues. Following a crushing defeat against India on Sunday, the team’s star batter Sidra Ameen has now been penalized by the International Cricket Council (ICC) for breaching the Code of Conduct. The punishment came after Sidra was caught angrily slamming her bat on the ground in frustration during the match.

The high-voltage India–Pakistan clash took place at R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo, on October 5 (Sunday). Batting first, India set a target of 248 runs, while Pakistan crumbled to just 159 all out, suffering yet another heavy loss. Sidra Ameen was the lone fighter for her side, scoring a gritty 81 runs before being dismissed.

However, when Sidra was bowled out by India’s spinner Sneh Rana in the 40th over, she lost her cool. Disappointed at missing a century and frustrated by her team’s poor performance, she slammed her bat forcefully onto the pitch while walking back to the pavilion — an act that was caught on camera.

The next day, on Monday, the ICC released an official statement confirming that Sidra Ameen had violated Article 2.2 of the ICC Code of Conduct, which pertains to the abuse of cricket equipment or clothing. The match referee classified the act as a Level 1 offense.

As a result, Sidra has been issued an official reprimand and received one demerit point to her disciplinary record. However, since it was a minor offense, her match fee remains unaffected. This comes as a double setback for Pakistan — a humiliating loss on the field, and now disciplinary action off it.