• Source:JND
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Pakistan wicket-keeper batter Azam Khan has been fined by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for displaying the Palestinian flag on his bat during the National T20 tournament in Karachi.

The Karachi Whites batter was fined 50 per cent of his match fees for breaching the ICC code of conduct for clothing and equipment. Azam played with the bat that had a Palestinian flag sticker against Lahore Blues on Sunday.

"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," Pakistan's Geo News quoted a source as saying.

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The source further revealed that the batter had informed the officials that all of his bats had the same stickers.

As per the report, Azam played with the same bat in the last two matches without getting any official warning.

As per ICC's clothing and equipment regulation, "players shall not be allowed to display messages that carry political, religious, or racial activities or causes."

In the similar incident, Pakistan wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan posted a message on X in support of Palestinians after the win over Sri Lanka in the ICC ODI World Cup in India.

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"This was for our brothers and sisters in Gaza. Happy to contribute in the win. Credits to the whole team and especially Abdullah Shafique and Hassan Ali for making it easier. Extremely grateful to the people of Hyderabad for the amazing hospitality and support throughout," Rizwan had wrote on X.

Rizwan's gesture attracted a lot of criticism as netizens advised him to focus on his batting and not to share his political views.

After the debacle in the ODI World Cup 2023, Pakistan are preparing for the three-match Test series against Australia, starting from December 14.