Reports: PCB fines Azam Khan 50% of match fees for sporting Palestine’s flag on his bat

Azam Khan, the emerging cricket sensation from Pakistan, has found himself in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons. According to reports, the wicketkeeper-batter was fined 50% of the match money by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for breaking the rules regarding attire and equipment during a Karachi National T20 Cup match.

The little batsman flew the flag of Palestine on his bat during the game between Azam Khan Karachi Whites and Lahore Blues at the National Stadium.

However, the cricket officials were aware of this approach. Later, Azam clarified that he didn’t believe it was a huge concern because all of his bats had the same stickers.

50% of the young batter’s match fees were penalized. The referee had earlier informed the batter that it would be against the ICC code of conduct, which the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) also abides by, to put the unauthorized insignia (Palestine’s flag) on his bat, a source close to the board told Geo News.

It’s surprising to learn that Azam has previously used the contentious sticker. According to the report, he utilized it without notice in the two prior bouts. Given the recent commitment by another Pakistani cricket player, Mohammad Rizwan, who dedicated his team’s triumph in the recently finished ICC ODI World Cup to the “brothers and sisters in Gaza” amid the Israel-Palestine conflict, the incident has drawn attention.

Players are not permitted to display political or other messages on the ICC:

It is important to note that players are expressly prohibited from displaying slogans pertaining to political, religious, or racial activity under the ICC’s attire and equipment regulation. Social media is divided over the incident; some people applaud Azam’s gesture, while others contend that politics and cricket should be kept apart.

The PCB has set up a training camp in Rawalpindi for the Pakistani cricket squad as they prepare for a three-match Test series against Australia. Pakistan’s three-match Test series will begin on December 6 at Canberra’s Manuka Oval with a four-day warm-up match against the Prime Minister’s XI. Perth Stadium in Perth will host the opening Test of the series on December 16.