Srinagar: In a major controversy from Pakistan cricket, middle order batter Azam Khan has been slapped with 50 percent match fee fine and future suspension for using Palestine sticker on his bat during ongoing Pakistan National T20 Cup match against Lahore Blues.
“The batter has been fined 50% of his match fees for affixing a sticker of the Palestine flag on his bat,” report said.
“The authorities have warned Azam Khan of potential suspension if he persists in using the flag sticker, reports say. They say that the middle-order batter has breached clothing and equipment regulations (displaying unapproved logo/political messaging),” it added.
Meanwhile Pakistan senior journalist Hamir Mir has demanded clarity from the Pakistan Cricket Board over the issue.
“Will the PCB tell when it became a crime to put the flag of Palestine on the cricket bat in Pakistan? Those who fined Azam Khan for placing the Palestinian flag on the bat should be dismissed from the PCB and set an example,” Mir wrote on X.