The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has retracted the 50% match fee fine imposed on batter Azam Khan.
The penalty was initially levied for displaying the Palestinian flag on his bat during a National T20 Cup 2023-24 match, a gesture that initially put him in trouble.
Azam Khan, playing for Karachi Whites as a wicketkeeper-batter, was fined for breaching the PCB’s clothing and equipment regulations, prohibiting displaying unapproved logos or political messaging.
The violation occurred during a match against Lahore Blues at National Bank Stadium, Karachi. The middle-order batter was found to have contravened Article 2.4 of the PCB code of conduct, which restricts players from showcasing personal messages without prior approval.
The PCB’s decision to penalize Azam Khan sparked significant backlash on social media, leading to a review of their action. It’s important to note that players have previously expressed support for Palestine on social media without repercussions.
However, the ICC code primarily governs on-field activities; off-the-ground actions are generally not under its purview. Azam had reportedly informed the referee that all his bats bore the same sticker, and it was confirmed that he had used the same sticker in two previous National T20 Cup games without prior warnings.
 has retracted the fine imposed on cricketer Azam Khan for displaying the Palestinian flag on his bat during the National T20 Cup. This decision follows a social media outcry and considerations of ICC code regulations.){kind=link}