James Faulkner pulls out of PSL due to payment feud
Australian all-rounder James Faulkner has withdrawn his name from the Pakistan Super League (PSL) mid-season over a payment dispute with Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). Faulkner on Saturday in a lengthy statement on Twitter accused PCB of not honoring his "contractual agreements/payments". In reply, PCB issued a joint statement with Quetta Gladiators to refute his claims, saying that they are "baseless." Here are further details.
Why does this story matter?
PCB even went on to say that Faulkner will not be part of PSL in future. They also insisted that they tried to resolve the matter by talking to Faulkner but he was not ready to listen. The Australian in his defense said that PCB had repeatedly lied to him regarding his payment before terming PCB and PSL's treatment of him a "disgrace".
Here is what Faulkner wrote on Twitter
"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 honoring my contractual agreement/payments," he wrote on the microblogging site Twitter. "I've been here the whole duration and they have continued to lie to me," the 31-year-old further said.
It hurts to leave: Faulkner
"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," Faulkner added in his second Tweet. "But the treatment I have received has been a disgrace from the @TheRealPCB and @thePSLt20 I'm sure you all understand my position," the Australian concluded.
The chain of events, according to PCB release
"In December 2021, Faulkner's agent confirmed the United Kingdom bank details to which his fee payments should be transferred. In January 2022, for reasons best known to Mr Faulkner, his agent sent revised banking details of Mr Faulkner's onshore account in Australia. However, the contracted 70 per cent of Mr Faulkner's fee payment was transferred to his offshore UK bank account," PCB said.
Faulkner acknowledged the first payment
"The receipt of this payment was acknowledged by Faulkner. Accordingly, payments due to Faulkner as per his contract are fully up to date," PCB said. "The remaining 30 per cent of his contractual payment only becomes due 40 days after the completion of the Pakistan Super League 2022, which now remains a matter to be reviewed in line with his contract," it added.
Faulkner caused deliberate damage to hotel property
As per Cricbuzz, the PCB also claimed that Faulkner had caused deliberate damage to property at the hotel where he was staying before his departure. The board then had to pay for the damages. The PCB stated that it also received reports and complaints from immigration authorities regarding Faulkner's behaviour at the airport which was deemed inappropriate and abusive.
Faulkner has claimed 19 wickets in the PSL
Making his PSL debut last season for Lahore Qalandars, he went on to claim 13 wickets in six matches at 12.00. The 2022 edition of the tournament saw Faulker take six wickets for the Gladiators. Overall, he has 19 wickets at 18.52.
