Azam Khan penalised for displaying Palestine flag on bat

KARACHI: During the National T20 tournament in Karachi, Pakistani batsman Azam Khan, representing Karachi Whites, faced a disciplinary challenge following his decision to display the Palestine flag on his bat.

This act, viewed as a breach of the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) regulations on clothing and equipment, prompted the match referee to impose a penalty. Azam, the son of former captain Moin Khan, was fined 50 per cent of his match fees for displaying a message considered to carry political connotations.

The incident unfolded during a recent National T20 Cup match against Lahore Blues. Azam Khan affixed a sticker featuring the Palestine flag on his bat.

Authorities have issued a warning, stating that should Khan continues to use of the flag sticker, it could result in further disciplinary actions and even suspension.

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Before this, during the 2023 World Cup match against Sri Lanka, Pakistan’s wicketkeeper-batter Muhammed Rizwan dedicated the victory to the Palestinians in Gaza. Later, it was reported that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had requested Rizwan to delete the post, a request he allegedly did not comply with.

Former captain of the Pakistan cricket team, Babar Azam, also voiced his support for Gaza after the team’s return to Pakistan. Notably, he had relinquished the captaincy by that time.

This sequence of events led to criticism from cricket fans who believed that the board had imposed restrictions on players, especially the captain, from expressing support for Gaza. The controversy has reignited discussions about the intersection of sports and political expressions within the realm of cricket.