PCB waives off Azam Khan's fine over displaying Palestine flag on bat

The Pakistan Cricket Board on Tuesday waived off the fine imposed on batter Azam Khan for showing solidarity with Palestinians following widespread criticism on social media.

The PCB reversed its decision after cricket enthusiasts voiced their criticism on the board and extended support for Azam. 

During the national T20 tournament, Azam Khan was instructed by the match referee not to attach a sticker of the Palestinian flag on his bat, but he refused to obey the instructions. 

Consequently, Azam Khan incurred a 50% match fee fine in the national T20 tournament for violating the code of conduct.

It is pertinent to mention here that clothing and equipment regulations of ICC specifically prohibits displaying unauthorised logo with political or religious messaging during a match.

Actor Maryam Nafees voiced her support for Azam Khan, stating in a post that while the world is taking a stand, we are living a life of hypocrisy. She pointed out the contradiction where we don't recognize Israel, yet discourage our people from expressing opposition to it.

Simultaneously, a protest was held outside the National Stadium Karachi in opposition to the fine levied on national cricketer Azam Khan for displaying the Palestinian flag on his bat.

Sources revealed that Azam had informed the referee that all his bats featured identical stickers. 

It was further confirmed that Azam had the same sticker on his bat in two prior games of the National T20 Cup, with no warnings issued before the Sunday game.

During the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023 in October, several Pakistani players openly expressed their solidarity with Palestinians, who are being subjected to a genocide by Israeli occupation forces.

However, the cricketers shared statements and images on their respective social media platforms and not on the field during the world cup.