Australian allrounder James Faulkner was on February 19 officially barred from participating in the Pakistan Super League in future after Pakistan Cricket Board and his franchise Quetta Gladiators called out his claim of non-payment and poor treatment.
Faulkner took to social media to announce his departure from the league bubble, citing that he has been managed inappropriately by the board and Gladiators management. He said the PCB did not honour “his contractual agreement/payments”.
In a pair of tweets, the cricketer claimed that the PCB “lied” to him and treated him with “disgrace” despite his honest attempt at completing his playing duties in PSL, which has played a key role in reviving cricket in Pakistan.
“I apologise to the Pakistan cricket fans. But unfortunately I’ve had to withdraw from the last 2 matches and leave the @thePSLT20 due to the @TheRealPCB not honouring my contractual agreement/payments. I’ve been here the whole duration and they have continued to lie to me,”
Faulkner tweeted.
“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. I’m sure you all understand my position,”
The PCB and GQ, however, “strongly” refuted Faulkner’s claim and gave their side of the whole story. The board explained that the Aussie left-arm pacer was paid 70% of his contractual sum into his offshore UK-based bank account, which was confirmed by his agent only.
But soon after that payment was made, Faulkner sent the board details of an onshore bank account in Australia, demanding that the payment be made to this account instead. The PCB, having already paid that sum, didn’t adhere to Faulkner’s request as it would have meant paying him “twice”.
“In the seven years of the Pakistan Super League, no player has ever complained about the nonfulfillment of the PCB’s contractual obligations,”
the PCB said, while also declaring that Faulkner is hereby banned from taking part in the PSL in future.
