Sydney Thunder Terminate Afghanistan Pacer Fazalhaq Farooqi’s Contract Over ‘Behaviour Issues’

Fazalhaq Farooqi was signed by Sydney Thunder in November after England's David Willey withdrew from the T20 competition.

Afghanistan's Fazalhaq Farooqi during the ICC men's Twenty20 World Cup 2022.

Source : Patrick HAMILTON / AFP

In a recent development, Big Bash League (BBL) side Sydney Thunder have terminated the contract of Afghanistan fast bowler Fazalhaq Farooqi. It is being learnt that Cricket Australia have backed this move. The decision was arrived at after a hearing which was held under the supervision of Cricket Australia's conduct commissioner.

Notably, the team had escalated an incident which happened last Thursday to the Integrity Unit of Cricket Australia after which an investigation and a hearing was conducted. After the entire turn of events, the franchise decided to terminate the speedster's contract. They are yet to decide upon a replacement player. Notably, Farooqi was signed by the club in November after England's David Willey withdrew from the T20 competition.

"The behaviours displayed by Fazalhaq Farooqi sit outside our values and it was determined that his contract be terminated," Cricket NSW CEO Lee Germon was quoted as saying as per an official release by Cricket Austalia.

"Our focus now is providing the necessary support to those affected by this incident," he added.

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— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 23, 2022

Farooqi was part of Thunder's Playing 11 in all their matches so far

It is worth highlighting that the details of the incident has been kept confidential. Neither Cricket Australia nor the Thunders side gave any details regarding the same.

While it has been disclosed that the incident happened on Thursday, Farooqi played 3 more matches since that day and the official announcement of his contract being terminated on December 23. In fact, the 22-year-old was part of the Playing 11 in each of the four matches that the team has played so far.

The day after the said episode occurred, Thunder had a nightmarish outing on the cricket field as they were bowled out for 15 in 35 balls, registering the lowest score ever in a men's T20 game.

Farooqi was unbeaten on 1 in that batting effort after he had decent spell with the ball returning with figures of 3/20.