Gladiators’ bowler Faulkner quits PSL in contract dispute, PCB slaps ban

Quetta Gladiators fast bowler James Faulkner quit the Pakistan Super League (PSL) on Saturday and alleged that organisers failed to honour his contract, a claim the country's cricket board vehemently refuted.

Faulkner claimed the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) 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,” he wrote on Twitter. "I’ve been here the whole duration and they have continued to lie to me.”

The 31-year-old Australian said it "hurts to leave” because he wanted to help "get international cricket back in Pakistan ... 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.

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 ahead of 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.

Associated Press