Sydney Thunder has decided to terminate the contract of Afghanistan fast bowler Fazalhaq Farooqi after a hearing held by Cricket Australia's conduct commissioner. The Thunder stated that the club received a complaint about Farooqi’s behaviour after an incident on Thursday, December 15. Later he was referred to CA for investigation.
Following the investigation, and a subsequent hearing a ruling by a CA Conduct commissioner was made, leading to the Thunder deciding to terminate Farooqi's contract. The Afghan pacer had already played one match for the Thunder, where he had figures of 2-20 and made a first-ball duck with the bat before the incident took place.
After the incident, Farooqi played three more matches for the Thunder. One of these games took place after the date of the incident where the Sydney-based franchise was bowled out for 15 by the Adelaide Strikers. In the game, Farooqi scored just one run and was not out in the end as the innings ended in the sixth over. In the first innings of the game, Farooqi had taken 3-20 with the ball.
Cricket NSW CEO Lee Germon spoke about the incident and stated that Farooqi’s behaviour wasn’t coinciding with the team’s values and hence the required steps were taken. Germon said, "The behaviours displayed by Fazalhaq Farooqi sit outside our values and it was determined that his contract be terminated. Our focus now is providing the necessary support to those affected by this incident."
Farooqi was brought out into the team in November as he replaced David Willey who withdrew from the tournament. He made Thunder's starting XI in all four matches they've played so far and has taken five wickets at an average of 18.60.
Just like this incident, the Sydney Thunder hasn’t had a great season so far as they are placed second last on the table. The Thunder scrapped through to win their first game but since then has gone on to lose the next three games.