PCB Penalizes Azam Khan with a 50% Match Fee Fine for Displaying Palestine's Flag on His Bat: Reports

Karachi Whites’ middle-order batsman, Azam Khan, has been fined 50% of his match fees in the National T20 tournament for violating clothing and equipment regulations. The breach occurred during a game against Lahore Blues in Karachi when Azam displayed Palestine’s flag on his bat. Match referee Mohammad Javed imposed the fine, citing a violation of the ICC Code of Conduct, as displaying unapproved logos is prohibited.

Despite being warned earlier by the referee about the potential breach, Azam, who scored 35 runs in the match, continued to display the unapproved logo in two previous National T20 Cup games without facing consequences until the recent match against Lahore Blues. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is a signatory to the ICC code, and Azam had previously informed the referee that all his bats featured the same stickers.

ICC Regulation on Clothing and Equipment

The International Cricket Council (ICC) regulations strictly prohibit players from displaying messages supporting political, religious, or racial causes on their clothing and equipment. Azam Khan’s act of showcasing Palestine’s flag on his bat directly contravened these regulations, leading to the imposed fine.

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This incident mirrors a controversy in October, where Pakistan’s cricket team expressed solidarity with Palestine during the ICC Men’s T20 Cricket World Cup. The team’s display of support and prayers for Palestinians led to questions about whether such expressions were allowed in the tournament.

The PCB defended the players, claiming it was a personal decision. However, Azam Khan’s recent fine highlights the strict enforcement of regulations regarding political symbols on cricket equipment.