LAHORE: In a disturbing development at an otherwise nearly trouble-free HBL Pakistan Super League Twenty20 tournament, Que­tta Gladiators’ fast bowler James Faulkner on Saturday quit the PSL, alleging organisers had failed to honour his contract, a claim the Pakis­tan Cricket Board (PCB) strongly negated.

The 31-year-old Austra­lian player, who left Pakis­tan in the early hours of Saturday, claimed that the PCB lied to him during his stint at 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,” a disgruntled Faulkner wrote on Twitter. “I’ve been here the whole duration and they have continued to lie to me.”

He 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.”

The unfortunate development is the first time in the seven-year history of PSL that a player left the league mid-way over a non-payment dispute.

Later on Saturday, the PCB confirmed Faulkner’s departure and announced that he would not be part of the PSL’s player draft in the future.

“The PCB and Quetta Gladiators are disappointed and dismayed with the reprehensible behaviour 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,” an official PCB statement said.

“In the seven years of the HBL PSL, no player has ever complained about the non-fulfillment of the PCB’s contractual obligations. Instead, all players have only praised and appreciated the efforts of the PCB to make their stay, appearance and participation as comfortable as practically possible.

According to the press release, the PCB paid 70 per cent of Faulkner’s fee to his British bank account in December 2021 and that the receipt of this payment was acknowledged by him. The remaining 30 per cent is transferred to players’ accounts within 40 days after the PSL ends, it added.

The PCB 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 “insulting behaviour” during talks on Friday, the PCB said, it assured the Australian that his grievances would be addressed. Still, he pulled out of the crucial game for Quetta against Multan demanding that his travel arrangements be made straightaway.

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 HBL 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 PCB said.

Faulkner took six wickets in six games for Quetta this season and scored 49 runs.

Published in Dawn, February 20th, 2022