James Faulkner's exit from the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2022 over the payment dispute grabbed the headlines on Saturday (February 19).

In a tweet, Faulkner claimed that the PCB did not honour his contract and announced his decision to leave the tournament midway.

"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," Faulkner tweeted.

Amid the development, former Pakistan skipper Shahid Afridi has backed the PCB, citing that players' payments have never been delayed by the board.

"Disappointed with @JamesFaulkner44 comments who reciprocated Pakistan's hospitality&arrangements by levelling baseless allegations.We al have been treated with respect &never ever our payments have been delayed. No one should be allowed to taint cricket & the #HBLPSL brand," Afridi wrote.

The Pakistan Cricket Board and Quetta Gladiators also issued a statement on Saturday after Faulkner made allegations of non-payment and mistreatment during the PSL.

"The PCB and Quetta Gladiators are disappointed and dismayed with the reprehensible behavior of James Faulkner, who was also part of the Abu Dhabi-leg of the HBL Pakistan Super League in 2021, and, along with all participants, has always been treated with the utmost respect," PCB stated in an official statement.

"Taking serious note of James Faulkner's gross misconduct that was an attempt to bring the PCB, Pakistan cricket and the HBL Pakistan Super League into disrepute, it has been unanimously agreed by the PCB and the franchises that James Faulkner will not be drafted in future Pakistan Super League events," it added.