As the countdown to the 2024 Olympics in Paris ticks away, an article in The Nation probes the possibility of Israel facing a ban from the event due to its involvement in the Gaza conflict.

The piece, known for its progressive stance, examines the parallels with Russia’s recent Olympic ban and speculates on whether Israel’s athletes might be compelled to compete under a neutral flag.

Drawing attention to the IOC’s decision to ban Russia as a nation from the upcoming Olympics, the article raises questions about the potential consequences for Israel. It contemplates scenarios where Israeli annexation of territories with Palestinian sports organisations could prompt the IOC to insist on neutral participation.

The article contends that the IOC’s track record, as seen with FIFA’s indifference to Israeli military actions against Palestinian soccer players, could influence its stance.

Highlighting the IOC’s tendency to cite “neutrality” as justification for overlooking human rights violations, the article accuses the committee of treating Palestinians as a disposable population. 

It suggests that if Israel proceeds with annexations in the West Bank or Gaza, the IOC might face pressure to designate Israeli athletes as neutrals, mirroring the action taken against Russia.

The piece quotes Ken McCue, a member of the Irish group Insaka-Ireland, expressing a sentiment echoed by some in Ireland—calling for a potential Olympic ban on Israel, drawing parallels to past instances involving Russia and South Africa. 

The article underlines the IOC’s diplomatic challenge and raises ethical questions about its approach to geopolitical conflicts and human rights issues in the context of the Olympic Games.

• Karachi receive Islamabad’s first round silver pick with trade. 
• Imad says time to go home to Islamabad. 
• Islamabad wish god luck to Hassan Ali.

LAHORE: Amid rumours of several foreign players signing up for the Pakistan Super League’s (PSL) ninth edition, it has now been confirmed that Imad Wasim has been traded by the Karachi Kings for Hassan Ali from Islamabad United.

Wasim, who guided Karachi to their maiden PSL title in the fifth edition, has been taken by United under the Platinum category.

While, Hassan, who represented Islamabad in the last season, will play for the Karachi Kings under the Diamond category.

“By virtue of this player trade, Karachi Kings have received Islamabad United’s first round silver pick in exchange for their second round silver pick,” said a PSL statement.

It also shared that Lahore Qalandars’ Mirza Tahir Baig, Islamabad United’s Rumman Raees and Karachi Kings’ Mir Hamza have been relegated from the gold category to silver on the requests of the franchisees ahead of the PSL 2024 Player Draft. 

Imad, commenting on the move on X, said his “very special journey” with the Karachi teams ends and thanked the fans and management for the support they gave him during his time with the franchise.

“Time for a new chapter. Really excited to be heading to my hometown team Islamabad United. It is an amazing franchise with great people,” said Imad. He added that he will try his best to repay the faith Islamabad United, Shadab Khan and owner Ali Naqvi have shown in him.

“Goodbye Karachi, time to go home to Islamabad,” said Imad. 

While Islamabad United wished good luck to Hassan with the new franchise. 

“Today we bid farewell to a true #Sheru. Hassan Ali, our #Generator, will be lighting up a new path with Karachi Kings in #HBLPSL9,” said the team. It added that Hassan’s “passion and incredible performances” have left an indelible mark.

• Cricketer was fined 50% of his match fee on Nov 26.
• Board says Azam violated Article 2.4 of PCB code of conduct.
• Khan is currently playing in the National T20 Cup match.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Tuesday reviewed its decision and waived batter Azam Khan’s 50% match fee fine for displaying the Palestinian flag on his bat, an act that put him in trouble during a National T20 Cup 2023-24.

The board, in a statement, said Karachi Whites wicketkeeper-batter was fined 50% of his match fee for being found guilty of committing a level-I offence during his side’s match against Lahore Blues at National Bank Stadium, Karachi.

The middle-order batter, on November 26, was fined for breaching clothing and equipment regulations (displaying unapproved logo/political messaging) during the National T20 Cup match in Karachi.

Azam displayed Palestine’s flag on his bat during a National T20 Cup match.

Azam was found to have violated Article 2.4 of the PCB code of conduct for players and players’ support personnel for repeated failure to comply with the instruction or directive of an umpire during a match.

Players and team officials are not permitted to wear, display or otherwise convey personal messages on their equipment unless approved in advance by both the player or team official’s cricket association and PCB Cricket Operations Department.

The board’s decision comes after cricket fans expressed their anger over the action taken against the cricketer on social media.

But the PCB’s decision to penalise the batter had left the netizens angry who have slammed the cricket authorities.

However, it is important to clarify here that during the World Cup the cricketers posted statements and pictures on their social media channels in support of Palestine. Back then they were not penalised as the ICC code is meant for on-field activities and off-the-ground actions are beyond their scope.

Azam had, according to sources, informed the referee that all of his bats had the same stickers.

The ICC regulation for clothing and equipment states that players shall not be allowed to display messages that carry political, religious, or racial activities or causes.

Sources confirmed that Azam had the same sticker on his bat during two previous games of the National T20 Cup. However, no one had warned him before Sunday’s game.