On Tuesday, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) reevaluated its earlier decision and decided to revoke the 50% match fee fine imposed on batsman Azam Khan for displaying the Palestinian flag on his bat during a National T20 Cup 2023-24 match.
The initial penalty was for a level-I offense related to breaching clothing and equipment regulations.
The PCB, in a statement, had fined Azam Khan for violating Article 2.4 of the PCB code of conduct, citing his repeated failure to comply with umpire instructions during a match against Lahore Blues at the National Bank Stadium in Karachi on November 26. The specific breach involved displaying an unapproved logo/political message, namely the Palestinian flag, on his bat.
The board’s decision to rescind the fine followed criticism from cricket fans on social media who expressed their displeasure over the punitive action taken against the cricketer. It is worth noting that during the World Cup, cricketers openly showed support for Palestine on social media without facing penalties, as the ICC code primarily pertains to on-field activities, not off-field expressions.
Azam Khan reportedly informed the referee that all of his bats had the same stickers, and sources confirmed that he had used the same sticker in two previous National T20 Cup games without receiving any warnings. The ICC regulation prohibits players from displaying messages on clothing and equipment that involve political, religious, or racial activities or causes.
Swedish Prime Minister Condemns Far-Right Leader’s Call To Demolish Mosques
Meanwhile, Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson has criticized the leader of the far-right Sweden Democrats (SD) party, Jimmie Akesson, who supports Kristersson’s government. Akesson, in a speech at the SD’s annual conference, called for the seizure and demolition of mosques spreading what he termed as “anti-democratic, anti-Swedish, homophobic, anti-Semitic propaganda or general disinformation.”
Swedish Prime Minister Kristersson, although his coalition does not include SD, relies on its support. He condemned Akesson’s statements as “disrespectful” and “polarising,” expressing concern that they misrepresented Sweden internationally.
