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[Saba Sports News] The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) recently decided to waive the fine imposed on Azam Khan for displaying the Palestine flag on his bat during a National T20 Cup match in Karachi, though no specific reason was provided for this decision.
Azam Khan was initially penalized for breaching PCB’s clothing and equipment regulations on November 26, infringing Article 2.4 of the PCB code of conduct. This article pertains to non-compliance with an umpire’s instructions during a match. The ICC’s rules prohibit players from showing political, religious, or racially inclined messages on their gear.
Interestingly, Pakistan’s wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan had expressed support for Palestinians on social media during the ICC ODI World Cup 2023, dedicating his century against Sri Lanka to the Palestinians. However, Rizwan faced no disciplinary action as his actions were considered personal opinions.
Azam Khan, known for his hard-hitting style in T20 cricket, has not been a part of the national team since 2021 but remains a popular figure in various global T20 leagues for his powerful six-hitting capabilities.
This incident has sparked discussions on social media, with opinions divided between supporting Azam’s gesture and advocating for keeping cricket separate from political issues.
In the meantime, Pakistan’s cricket team is preparing for a three-match Test series against Australia, with a training camp set up in Rawalpindi. The series begins with a four-day warm-up match against the Prime Minister’s XI on December 6 at Manuka Oval, Canberra, followed by the first Test on December 16 at Perth Stadium, Perth.