Australia all-rounder James Faulkner announced his decision to pull out from the ongoing edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) on Saturday. The announcement comes in the midst of some seriously bizarre financial controversy brewing between himself and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB); the latter of which has decided- after due consultation with all other franchises- to impose a lifetime ban on Faulkner’s participation in the tournament.
“PSL and PCB have been lying to me”- James Faulkner
The situation came to light earlier on Saturday afternoon, when Faulkner issued a tweet alleging that the PCB and the PSL have not honored his contractual agreements and payments. He further went on to term the board’s behavior as a ‘disgrace’ and revealed that it had been lying to him the whole time. In fact, this was- pursuant to Faulkner’s version of events- the reason he had refused to feature in his PSL team Quetta Gladiators last two group stage matches.
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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
He also expressed disappointment at leaving the tournament on a bitter note, since he wanted to get international cricket back in Pakistan and also enjoyed the fans’ support and the young talent.
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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 @thePSLt20I’m sure you all understand my position.
— James Faulkner (@JamesFaulkner44) February 19, 2022
But shortly after Faulkner had made his ugly public revelations, the PCB hit back with a series of statements on its social accounts. As per the PCB, it had already transferred 70 percent of Faulkner’s match fee to an offshore bank account in United Kingdom; something that the board claims was a request from Faulkner himself.
But apparently, there was a last-minute change in Faulkner’s bank accounts, and he asked his agent to contact the PCB with details of a revised bank account in Australia. The PCB claims that retransferring the amount of money that they had already sent over on Faulkner’s UK bank account would have resulted in him “being paid twice”.
“Faulkner gave two bank accounts; he would’ve been paid twice”- PCB
“In December 2021, Mr James Faulkner’s agent confirmed the offshore United Kingdom bank details to which his fee payments should be transferred. This was noted for action. 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. The receipt of this payment was acknowledged by Mr Faulkner.
“In spite of the money being transferred and received in his account, Mr Faulkner continued to insist that a second duplicate payment of the same amount be made to his account in Australia. This meant Mr Faulkner would have been paid twice.”, the PCB’s official statement read.
What followed next- as per the PCB- was an attempt of negotiation and clarification with Faulkner. But that’s when things really came to head, as an angry Faulkner behaved in an “reprehensible and insulting” manner and proceeded to damage the hotel property by throwing his stuff around. The event culminated with Faulkner throwing his helmet at the hotel’s chandelier.
“The PCB, as a responsible organisation, engaged with Mr Faulkner early Friday afternoon in an attempt to reason with him. Despite his reprehensible and insulting behavior during the conversation, Mr Faulkner was assured that all his grievances would be addressed. He refused to reconsider his decision to take the field in a crucial match for his side, let his team down and demanded that his travel arrangements be immediately made.
Faulkner’s outburst towards hotel chandelier earns him a lifetime ban from PSL
“During this time, the PCB was also in constant contact with his agent, who was regretful and apologetic. Prior to his departure on Saturday morning, Mr Faulkner caused deliberate damage to the hotel property and as a result had to pay damages to the hotel management. The PCB later also received reports and complaints from the immigration authorities that Mr Faulkner had acted inappropriately and abusively at the airport.
“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”, the statement concludes.
It is worth noting that Faulkner- the man of the match in Australia’s World Cup 2015 final win over New Zealand in 2015- has had a history of bitter financial dealings with his franchises. Last year, he left his Big Bash franchise, the Hobart Hurricanes, claiming that the club had made him a ‘disrespectful’ money offer.