Pakistan cricketer Azam Khan got a 50% match fee fine from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for breaking rules about clothing and equipment during a National T20 Cup match in Karachi. He had the flag of Palestine on his bat, which isn’t allowed according to the ICC code of conduct. Azam was warned before by the referee not to use the unapproved logo, but he did it anyway during a match between Karachi Whites and Lahore Blues.

The PCB source said, “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.”

The incident happened even though Azam had used the same sticker in the last two matches, and no one warned him about it. According to the ICC rules, players can’t display messages related to politics, religion, or race on their clothing or equipment.

In a related matter, another Pakistan player, Mohammad Rizwan, dedicated a recent victory to “brothers and sisters in Gaza” during the Israel-Palestine crisis. However, this drew mixed reactions on social media, with some supporting him and others suggesting that cricketers should focus on the game and stay out of politics. The Pakistan cricket team is preparing for a Test series against Australia, with a training camp organized in Rawalpindi before their departure later this week.