PCB overturns fine on Azam Khan for displaying Palestinian flag on bat

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) overturned a fine imposed on wicketkeeper-batter Azam Khan on Tuesday for displaying a Palestinian flag on his bat during a recent National T20 championship match.

Azam Khan — who is representing Karachi Whites — was fined 50 per cent of his match fee for being found guilty of committing a level-I offence during his side’s National T20 Cup 2023-24 match against Lahore Blues at National Bank Stadium, Karachi on Sunday.

However, PCB’s decision met with stark criticism and sparked social media backlash.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the board said: “Azam Khan’s 50% fine imposed by match officials has been reviewed and waived off by the PCB.”

“The cricketer was found to have violated Article 2.4 of the PCB Code of Conduct For Players and Players Support Personnel for repeated failure to comply with the instruction or directive of an umpire during the match,” PCB added.

The board also added that “players and team officials are not permitted to wear, display or otherwise convey personal messages on their equipment unless approved in advance by both player or team official’s cricket association and PCB Cricket Operations Department.”