Wicketkeeper-batsman Azam Khan was fined 50% of his match fees for displaying the Palestinian flag on his bat at the domestic T20 tournament in Karachi on Sunday.

National cricketer Azam Khan's support for Palestine proved costly for him in the National T20 Cup match between Karachi Whites and Lahore Blues at the National Stadium in Karachi on Sunday.

During the game, Azam put a sticker with the Palestinian flag on his bat. As a result, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) took action and placed the Palestinian flag sticker on the bat. PCB imposed a 50% match fee penalty on Azam.

Azam displayed the Palestinian flag on his bat during the domestic T20 match. He plays for the Karachi Whites and scored 35 goals against the Lahore Blues on Sunday before being called up by referee Shozab Raza.

A source privy to the matter said the batsman was fined 50% of his match fee. He had earlier been warned by the umpire not to display the unauthorized logo (Palestine's flag) on ​​his bat as it would be a violation of the ICC Code of Conduct, which the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has also signed.

Sources said Azam had informed the umpire that all his batsmen had the same stickers.

The ICC clothing and equipment regulations state that players are not permitted to display messages that contain political, religious or racist activities or causes.

A PCB official confirmed that Azam has been booked for violating clothing and equipment regulations.

The sources also confirmed that Azam wore the same sticker on his bat in two previous National T20 Cup matches. However, no one had warned him about today's game.

In a similar move in October this year, the Pakistan cricket team showed its firm support and offered its prayers for all Palestinians suffering at the hands of Israel during the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup.

Indian fans and cricket experts had raised questions about the players' constant support for Palestine and asked the ICC - the game's governing body - whether such moves would be allowed in the tournament.

According to sources, the PCB had dismissed the objections over the players' behavior saying, "The team's show of solidarity was a personal decision."