Pakistan’s opening batter Sidra Amin has received an official reprimand from the International Cricket Council (ICC) for breaching the code of conduct during the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup clash against India in Dubai. The right-handed batter was found guilty of violating Article 2.2 of the ICC Code of Conduct, which pertains to the misuse or abuse of cricket equipment and ground fixtures during an international match.
The incident occurred on the second-last delivery of the 40th over when Sidra Amin was dismissed by Indian spinner Sneh Rana, caught at square leg by captain Harmanpreet Kaur. Frustrated by her dismissal after playing a fine innings, Sidra struck her bat against the pitch before walking off, leading to disciplinary action from the ICC.
As a result, Sidra has been handed one demerit point, marking her first offence within the past 24 months. This counts as a Level 1 breach, the lowest category under ICC regulations, which can include penalties such as an official warning, a fine of up to 50% of the match fee, and the addition of one or two demerit points.
The matter was resolved swiftly after Sidra accepted her mistake and agreed to the sanction proposed by ICC Match Referee Shandre Fritz. Consequently, no formal hearing was required. The charge was laid by on-field umpires Lauren Agenbag and Nimali Perera, while Kerrin Klaaste and Kim Cotton served as third and fourth umpires respectively.
Despite the unfortunate incident, Sidra Amin’s performance with the bat was commendable. While chasing 248 runs, she top-scored for Pakistan with a resilient 81 off 106 balls, hitting nine boundaries and one six. Her innings provided stability to Pakistan’s chase, but her dismissal triggered a batting collapse that saw the team bowled out for 159 in 43 overs, suffering an 88-run defeat to arch-rivals India.
This loss marked Pakistan’s second defeat in the ongoing tournament, increasing the pressure on the squad to bounce back.
Known for her composed demeanor and consistent performances, Sidra Amin remains one of Pakistan’s key players at the top order. Analysts believe this rare lapse in judgment will serve as a valuable lesson for her. The ICC’s action reinforces the importance of maintaining professionalism and sportsmanship, even in moments of frustration. With this episode behind her, Sidra aims to focus on future matches and help Pakistan regain momentum in the Women’s World Cup.
