Never have our payments been delayed, James Faulkner's allegations are baseless: Shahid Afridi

As Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) faces criticism from around the world regarding all-rounder James Faulkner allegations against the cricket board due to non-payment issues, former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi has come out to defend the Pakistan management. Afridi slammed Faulkner on Twitter for levelling ‘baseless’ allegations against the board and claimed the payments of the players have never been delayed in the competition.

Australian all-rounder Faulkner left the ongoing 2022 Pakistan Super League (PSL) on February 19 and returned home naming to non-payment by PCB as the reason. Faulkner took to Twitter to reveal PCB and his franchise Quetta Gladiators have been continuously lying to him and have not ‘honoured’ his contractual agreement and payments.

Faulkner also termed PCB’s treatment of him as a ‘disgrace’ as he apologized to Pakistani fans for leaving the tournament midway. Responding to his accusations, PCB has termed Faulkner’s allegations as ‘baseless’ and have also banned the Australian from taking part in the PSL for life.

No one should be allowed to taint Cricket: Shahid Afridi

“Disappointed with @JamesFaulkner44 comments who reciprocated Pakistan’s hospitality & arrangements by levelling baseless allegations. We al have been treated with respect &never ever our payments have been delayed. No one should be allowed to taint cricket & the #HBLPSL brand,” Afridi wrote in a tweet.

The PCB has also responded to the accusations made by Faulkner with a detailed statement.

“The PCB and Quetta Gladiators are disappointed and dismayed with the reprehensible behavior of James Faulkner, who was also part of the Abu Dhabi-leg of the HBL Pakistan Super League in 2021, and, along with all participants, has always been treated with the utmost respect,” board stated in an official statement.

“Taking serious note of James Faulkner’s gross misconduct that was an attempt to bring the PCB, Pakistan cricket and the HBL Pakistan Super League into disrepute, it has been unanimously agreed by the PCB and the franchises that James Faulkner will not be drafted in future Pakistan Super League events,” it added.