James Faulkner withdraws from PSL, blames PCB for not honouring contractual agreement

Australian cricketer James Faulkner, who is part of the Quetta Gladiators franchise, announced on Saturday his withdrawal from the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL), alleging that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) was not honouring his contractual agreement.

Faulkner made the announcement in a Twitter post and apologized to the Pakistani cricket fans for his sudden withdrawal from the ongoing PSL 7

"I apologise to Pakistan Cricket fans. But unfortunately, I've had to withdraw from the last two matches and leave the @thePSLt20 due to @TheRealPCB not honouring my contractual agreement/payments," he said.

"I’ve been here the whole duration and they (the PCB) have continued to lie to me," the tweet added.

In another tweet, he said that "it hurts to leave as I wanted to help to get international cricket back in Pakistan, as there is so much young talent and the fans are amazing."

"But the treatment I have received has been a disgrace from the @TheRealPCB and @thePSLt20," he said, expressing the hope that "you all understand my position".

In response, the PCB said the allegations against the board were "false and misleading".

"The PCB and Quetta Gladiators have regretfully taken note of Mr James Faulkner's false and misleading accusations and will shortly be releasing a detailed statement on the matter," said a tweet by the board.

A detailed statement issued by the PCB termed the allegations of non-payment and mistreatment of Faulkner as baseless.

According to the statement, Faulkner's agent had confirmed in December last year the details of a bank account in the United Kingdom (UK) for the transfer of payment.

However, in January 2022, Faulkner's agent sent revised banking details of his onshore account in Australia".

"Accordingly, payments due to Mr Faulkner as per his contract are fully up to date," the PCB said in the statement.

"The remaining 30 percent of his contractual payment only becomes due 40 days after the completion of the HBL Pakistan Super League 2022, which now remains a matter to be reviewed in line with his contract," it added.

"In spite of the money being transferred and received in his account, Mr Faulkner continued to insist that a second duplicate payment of the same amount be made to his account in Australia," the statement said. "This meant Mr Faulkner would have been paid twice."

"The PCB, as a responsible organisation, engaged with Mr Faulkner early [on] Friday afternoon in an attempt to reason with him. Despite his reprehensible and insulting behavior during the conversation, Mr Faulkner was assured that all his grievances would be addressed," the board said.

"The PCB later also received reports and complaints from the immigration authorities that Mr Faulkner had acted inappropriately and abusively at the airport," the board added.

“In wake of the above, and taking serious note of Mr 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 Mr James Faulkner will not be drafted in future HBL Pakistan Super League events,” PCB announced.