Reports: PCB fines Azam Khan 50% of match fees for sporting Palestine's flag on his bat

In a recent turn of events, Pakistan's rising cricket star, Azam Khan, found himself in the limelight for all the wrong reasons. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has reportedly fined 50% of the match fees on the wicketkeeper-batter for violating clothing and equipment regulations during a National T20 Cup match in Karachi.

During the match between Azam's Karachi Whites and Lahore Blues at the National Stadium, the young batter displayed Palestine's flag on his bat. This move, however, didn't go unnoticed by the cricket authorities. Azam later explained that all his bats sport the same stickers, thinking it was no big deal.

"The young batter was fined 50% of his match fees. The batter was earlier warned by the referee not to display the unapproved logo (Palestine's flag) on his bat as it would be a breach of the ICC code of conduct, of which the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is also a signatory," a source close to the board told Geo News.

Surprisingly, this isn't the first time Azam has used the controversial sticker. The report alleges that he used it in the two previous matches without any prior warnings. The incident has raised eyebrows, especially considering the recent dedication by another Pakistani cricketer, Mohammad Rizwan, who dedicated his team's victory to the 'brothers and sisters in Gaza' amid the Israel-Palestine crisis in the recently concluded ICC ODI World Cup.

ICC doesn't allow players to display messages related to politics etc:

 It's worth noting that the ICC's clothing and equipment regulation explicitly forbids players from displaying messages related to political, religious, or racial activities. The incident has sparked a debate on social media, with some supporting Azam's gesture while others argue that cricket and politics should remain separate.

As the Pakistan cricket team gears up for a three-match Test series against Australia, the PCB has organized a training camp in Rawalpindi. Pakistan are set to play a three-match Test series, starting with a four-day warm-up match against Prime Minister's XI on December 6 at Manuka Oval, Canberra. The first Test of the series will kick off on December 16 at Perth Stadium, Perth.