Pakistan cricket team fans have expressed anger on Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) over fining Azam Khan for displaying the Palestine flag on his bat during a match of National T20 tournament in Karachi on Sunday.
Azam Khan was fined 50 per cent of his match fee for beaching the clothing and equipment regulation (Displaying unapproved logo/political message).
According to GEO, Azam was summoned by match referee Muhammad Javaid, but Azam replied that all of his bats have same stickers.
Before this, Pakistani wicketkeeper-batsman Muhammad Rizwan was criticized by the Indian media and fans for dedicating his performance during Pakistan’s victory against Sri Lanka to Gaza during the ODI World Cup 2023. International Cricket Council (ICC) said at the time, “It is outside of the field of play and not in our domain”
PCB said in a statement that, “This is their (players) personal decision, the board is responsible for the on-field activities not out-field.”
We all are hating PCB for action against Azam, but I think they opted for this being a signatory to ICC regulations (which apply on all official cricket) because the game was on TV. Azam displayed the same flag in previous games (non broadcas), nobody said anything earlier. https://t.co/UJm8UEWWoV
— Faizan Lakhani (@faizanlakhani) November 26, 2023
Journalist Faizan Lakahni wrote on social media platform ‘X’, “We all are hating PCB for its action against Azam Khan, but I think they opted for this being a signatory to ICC regulations (which apply on all official cricket) because the game was live broadcast on TV. Azam displayed the same flag in previous games (non-broadcast), nobody said anything earlier.”
However social media users continue slamming the Board for taking action against Azam Khan. Here are some reactions:
Shame on you PCB #ShameOnPCB pic.twitter.com/eKmNTtJvFc
— Waqas Jarh (@WaqasJrh) November 27, 2023
Shame on Pakistan Cricket Board
What a disgrace you are showing to the muslims of GAZA, who are losing their lives for Islam, masjid e Al Aqsa on behalf of all of usWe are proud of you AZAM KHAN may Allah bless you immensely#ShameOnPCB pic.twitter.com/omQr0Tstsk
— Mehreen Azhar (@ray_of_light507) November 27, 2023
Azam Khan has been fined for putting a #Palestinian flag on his bat during a domestic match. I wonder why @TheRealPCBMedia did this. #PSL2024#ShameOnYouZaka #ShameOnPCB
We are Proud of you Azam Khan #Palestine#IsraeliNewNazism #PalestinaLivre pic.twitter.com/aQ80bzM2XC— Khurram (@KhurramRANA21) November 26, 2023
Standing with humanity is a crime here #ShameOnPCB pic.twitter.com/kbOV4iphtr
— JahanZaib (@JahanZaibb_) November 27, 2023
When your own board is imposing fines for showing support for Palestine and you expect the enemy to show respect. Hypocrites everywhere #ShameOnPCB pic.twitter.com/NLvyY2xdxu
— Dr Kashif (@kashi_if) November 27, 2023
Shame shame shame…. Shame ✋✋#ShameOnPCB pic.twitter.com/t9TcZi2p6b
— Khansa baloch (@khansabaloch1) November 27, 2023
#ShameOnPCB #AzamKhan pic.twitter.com/b63z94ykvG
— Mohammad (@Mohammad313pak) November 27, 2023
What an independent country we living’ lmao #ShameOnPCB pic.twitter.com/oWVKlQsSw8
— Wasia (@itswasiihere__) November 27, 2023