James Faulkner Withdraws From PSL Over Contract Dispute, Pakistan Board Bans Him From Tournament For Life

Australian cricketer James Faulkner was on Saturday handed a life ban from the Pakistan Super League (PSL) after he withdrew from the tournament, blaming the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and his franchise Quetta Gladiators for not “honouring” a contractual agreement. Taking to Twitter, Faulkner, who played six matches for the Gladiators this season, had also apologised to the Pakistan cricket fans for withdrawing from the competition. “I apologise to the Pakistan cricket fans. But unfortunately, I’ve had to withdraw from the last two matches and leave the PSL due to the PCB not honouring my contractual agreements/payments,” Faulkner wrote in a Twitter thread.

“I’ve been here the whole duration and they have continued to lie to me,” he added.

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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.

— James Faulkner (@JamesFaulkner44) February 19, 2022

In another tweet, Faulkner said that he wanted to get international cricket back in Pakistan, adding that the treatment he has received from the PCB and the PSL “has been a disgrace”.

“It hurts to leave as I wanted to help 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 PCB and PSL. I’m sure you all understand my position,” he added in another tweet.

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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.

— James Faulkner (@JamesFaulkner44) February 19, 2022

In response, the PCB termed Faulkner’s allegations as “baseless” and handed him a life ban from the tournament.

PCB and Quetta Gladiators strongly refute James Faulkner’s baseless allegations.

Read more: https://t.co/fEfqU4X471 #HBLPSL7

— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) February 19, 2022

“The PCB and Quetta Gladiators are disappointed and dismayed with the reprehensible behavior of Mr James Faulkner, who was also part of the Abu Dhabi-leg of the HBL Pakistan Super League in 2021, and, along with all participants, has always been treated with utmost respect,” read a part of the PCB’s statement.

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“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,” it added.

Faulkner played six matches for the Gladiators in the ongoing PSL 7, taking 6 wickets.