James Faulkner has left the Pakistan Super League abruptly over a payment dispute, alleging that the PCB hasn't honoured his contract and has instead "continued to lie" to him. The PCB, in response, lambasted Faulkner's conduct as "reprehensible", announcing the Australian would be banned from future PSL drafts, and accused him of misbehaving with immigration authorities and letting his side down.
Faulkner, who has not played Quetta Gladiators' last three games, was understood to have grown increasingly agitated over the matter and had been negotiating with the PCB over the issue. Things became so heated on Friday, however, that he threw his bat and helmet from the lobby floor balcony onto a hotel chandelier after a discussion with a PCB official before leaving for the airport. He paid the hotel for damages before leaving.
He posted two tweets apologising to Pakistan cricket fans and calling his treatment at the hands of the PCB and the PSL "a disgrace".
"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. 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 @thePSLt20. I'm sure you all understand my position."
The PCB released a joint statement with Quetta Gladiators, calling Faulkner's allegations baseless and expressing dismay at his "reprehensible behaviour". The statement said Faulkner's agent sent UK bank account details to transfer fee payments to, before sending revised bank account details the following month, this time for a bank account in Australia. By this time, the PCB had already transferred 70% of the money owed to the players, including Faulkner. ESPNcricinfo understands the PCB told Faulkner the payment could not be made again to a different account until the initial payment was reversed.
Whether Faulkner is paid the remaining 30% is unclear yet. The PCB believe Faulkner to have breached his contract, and say it is a matter they will review.
"In the seven years of the HBL Pakistan Super League, no player has ever complained about the nonfulfillment of the PCB's contractual obligations," the PCB said. "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. He further threatened and refused to participate in his side's match against Multan Sultans on Friday afternoon until his money demands were met.
"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.
"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."
Faulkner played six PSL games this season, taking six wickets and scoring 49 runs.