Add Category
Australian fast bowler James Faulkner has quit the Pakistan Super League after publicly alleging that organisers failed to honour his Quetta Gladiators contract, a claim the country's cricket board vehemently refutes.
- Faulkner took to Twitter to claim that the Pakistan Cricket Board failed to pay him on time
- The board said they'd paid the correct amount according to player contracts and that Faulkner was asking for duplicate payments to a second account
- The PCB also allege Faulkner damaged hotel property and acted abusively at the airport upon departure to Australia
In a series of tweets on Saturday night, Faulkner claimed the Pakistan Cricket Board lied to him during his six-game stint in the league.
"I apologise to the Pakistan cricket fans. But unfortunately I've had to withdraw from the last 2 matches and leave the (PSL) due to the (PCB) not honouring my contractual agreement/payments," the 31-year-old said.
"I've been here the whole duration and they have continued to lie to me.
"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 PCB and PSL. I'm sure you all understand my position."
Pakistan's cricket officials disagreed, however, and banned Faulkner from future editions of its premier domestic Twenty20 league.
Loading
The PCB said it paid 70 per cent of Faulkner's contract to his British bank account in December and that "the receipt of this payment was acknowledged by Mr Faulkner."
The remaining 30 per cent is transferred to players' accounts within 40 days after the PSL ends.
The board said Faulkner's agent revised his bank information to an Australian account in January and that the player insisted that "a second duplicate payment of the same amount be made to his account in Australia."
Despite Faulkner's "reprehensible and insulting behaviour" during talks on Friday, the board said, it assured the Australian that his grievances would be addressed.
Still, he pulled out of the crucial game for Quetta against Multan and demanded that his travel arrangements be made immediately.
Faulkner, according to the PCB, caused deliberate damage to hotel property and acted inappropriately and abusively at the airport before his flight to Australia.
"Taking serious note of James Faulkner's gross misconduct that was an attempt to bring the PCB, Pakistan cricket and the Pakistan Super League into disrepute, it has been unanimously agreed by the PCB and the franchises that James Faulkner will not be drafted in future Pakistan Super League events," the board said.
Faulkner took six wickets in six games for Quetta this season and scored 49 runs.
AP/ABC