Pakistan allrounder Aamer Jamal has been fined over a million rupees (approximately USD 4,000) for displaying a slogan in support of former Prime Minister and ex-Pakistan cricket captain, Imran Khan.
During a Pakistan training session in December last year, ahead of the home Test series against England, Jamal was spotted with “804” written on the underside of his floppy hat. The number represents Imran Khan’s prisoner identification, as he has been incarcerated since August 2023 while facing multiple corruption-related charges, which he claims are politically motivated. The number has become a symbol of support among his followers and has been prominently displayed at rallies for his political party, PTI, as well as at certain PSL matches.
Since Jamal was in training attire and not playing a match, his act did not constitute a violation of ICC regulations. However, the PCB’s code of conduct, which aligns with the ICC’s, led to his sanction.
Jamal was penalized under Clause 2.23 of the PCB Code of Conduct, which prohibits public criticism or inappropriate remarks about the board, its officials, sponsors, policies, or sensitive issues including political matters.
The fine is considered unusually large for such a breach, suggesting that the PCB may be making an example out of the situation rather than merely addressing a disciplinary violation.
Imran Khan, who was Pakistan’s Prime Minister until his removal through a parliamentary vote of no confidence in May 2022, remains at odds with the current government led by Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif. The PCB’s current chairman, Mohsin Naqvi, serves as the country’s interior minister and was appointed to the board by the Prime Minister.
Under Naqvi’s predecessor, Zaka Ashraf, the PCB had previously released a celebratory cricket video in which Imran Khan was edited out of key historic moments. After public backlash, he was reinstated in the footage. Speculation also arose regarding whether the Imran Khan Enclosure at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium would be renamed during renovations, but it has remained unchanged.
Jamal is among several players who faced fines over the winter for disciplinary infractions and curfew violations.
