Hammad Azam, Kingsmen captain, leads against Wing Triple Nine sports at the State Bank Ground in Karachi during the Presidents Trophy Grade-II match – Facebook
Tensions Boil Over as Kingsmen Captain Loses Temper After Dismissal:
On-field umpires dismissals cause Hammed Azam to lose temper
Following an explosive outburst during a game against Wing Triple Nine Sports at the State Bank Ground in Karachi, Hammad Azam, the captain of Kingsmen, has been punished with a 100% punishment on his match fee, sparking first big controversy on the President’s Trophy Grade-II 2024-25.
Following his adjudging out by the on-field umpires, the former international all-rounder lost his temper in what insiders characterized as a furious outburst, setting off a series of misbehavior resulting in official disciplinary action.
Match Officials’ Challenges Aggression by Hammad Azam
Azam’s ejection set off a strong reaction since he allegedly mistreated umpires Rafiq Ahmed and Abdul Kareem on the field. Things got more out of hand as the Kingsmen skipper allegedly made offensive comments directed against match referee Ali Gohar after the incident.
“Hammad kept his aggressive behavior even during the official hearing,” a source close to the PCB disciplinary panel said.
The degree of his behavior caused both umpires to file official reports, which resulted in quick referee intervention.
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Match Referee Ali Gohar Calls for Strong Discipline
Match referee Ali Gohar called Hammad Azam and the Kingsmen team manager for an official hearing after getting the complaint. Azam apparently kept his aggressive posture rather than expressing regret, therefore worsening the matter.
Given continuous misbehavior, Gohar issued the strongest penalty allowed by the code of conduct: a 100% deduction of Azam’s match fee. The penalty warns all players about keeping professionalism in Pakistan’s domestic cricket system.
Grade-II President’s Trophy: A Vital Platform for Pakistan’s Cricketers
Currently in progress are eight major Pakistani cities: Abbottabad, Haripur, Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore, Rawalpindi, Sheikhupura, and Swabi for the President’s Trophy Grade-II 2024–25.
Over 400 players, many of whom are keen to get into the national setup or resurrect halted careers, have a critical platform this year. There are eighty-five three-day events in the tournament; the final is set for four days from May 22 to 25.
Tournament Details at a Glance:
- Total Matches: 85 (Three-day format, except final)
- Cities Involved: 8 major cities
- Prize Pool: PKR 7.75 million
- Winner’s Prize: PKR 5 million
- Runner-up’s Prize: PKR 2.5 million
Information on the Qualification Format and Knockout Stage
Consistent performers are rewarded in the Grade II competition by design. From every group, the top two teams will move to the quarter-finals, set for May 14 and 16.
May 18 to 20 will be the semi-finals; venues for the knockout events will be revealed later. This structure guarantees that throughout the competition, form, discipline, and team collaboration remain absolutely vital.
Kingsmen’s Campaign: A Black Mark
The episode involving Hammad Azam has clouded Kingsmen’s effort. Any act of indiscipline can have negative effects not only on individual players but also on the general development of the team, given high stakes in play and intense observation by scouts.
The focus will still be on how the Kingsmen bounce back from this reputational damage and whether their skipper can cool off and lead from the front as the tournament runs.
Conclusion: Professionalism and Discipline in domestic cricket
While Pakistan’s domestic cricket struggles with disciplinary violations, New Zealand keeps setting worldwide norms for player behavior and on-field courtesy. Hammad Azam’s behavior and his later penalty draw attention to the critical need for behavioral training alongside technical improvement.
Consistency in applying disciplinary rules must always be non-negotiable if Pakistan is to build a strong and professional cricketing culture. This involves, as was the case here, making even the most experienced domestic players answerable.
FAQs – Here’s all you need to know about PSL 10!
Q1. Why was Hammad Azam fined during the Grade II match?
He was fined for misbehaving with umpires and the match referee after being given out.
Q2. Who were the match officials involved in the incident?
Umpires Rafiq Ahmed and Abdul Kareem, and match referee Ali Gohar.
Q3. What is the total prize pool for the President’s Trophy Grade II?
The prize pool stands at PKR 7.75 million.
Q4. How many teams qualify for the knockout stages?
Top two teams from each group qualify for the quarter-finals.
Q5. Where is the final of the President’s Trophy 2024-25 scheduled to take place?
The final will be held from May 22 to 25, with the venue to be announced later.
