BBL cricket news: Fazalhaq Farooqi contract terminated by Sydney Thunder

The Big Bash League has been rocked by allegations of harassment which caused a star import to have his contract torn up.

Sydney Thunder international star Fazalhaq Farooqi has had his contract terminated after allegations of harassment towards female cricketing staff.

Cricket officials were staying tight-lipped about details of the alleged behaviour due to confidentiality clauses around those involved, but News Corp has been told the matter has not gone to police.

Thunder players were called into a meeting on Friday to explain the decision to send Farooqi home to Afghanistan, but despite being offered counselling were not told what had actually taken place.

The Thunder received a complaint about Farooqi’s behaviour following an incident last Thursday and immediately referred the matter to Cricket Australia’s Integrity Unit.

The incident was swiftly investigated and CA’s Conduct Commissioner handed down a ruling, with the Thunder then deciding to immediately terminate Farooqi’s contract.

Fazalhaq Farooqi has had his Sydney Thunder contract terminated.

Cricket officials refused to confirm details of the alleged behaviour, but Thunder said in a statement that “all impacted parties have been offered support.”

Cricket NSW CEO Lee Germon said Cricket NSW and Sydney Thunder hold all employees to a high standard of behaviour and accountability.

“The behaviours displayed by Fazalhaq Farooqi sit outside our values and it was determined that his contract be terminated,” Germon said.

“Our focus now is providing the necessary support to those affected by this incident.”

LYNN’S CHEEKY TAKEDOWN OF FORMER SIDE

Callum Dick

Chris Lynn says he’s “moved on” from his time at the Brisbane Heat, though he wouldn’t mind inflicting further early season pain on his former side when he returns to the Gabba for the first time as an Adelaide Strikers player on Friday night.

In a pre-match parting shot to the team with which he became a household name, Lynn said the difference between the Strikers and the Heat was simple.

“One thing the Strikers are doing is they’re entertaining and winning — the Brisbane Heat, I suppose we were all about the entertainment and not so much the winning,” Lynn told News Corp.

It’s been 11 months since the BBL’s all-time topscorer stepped to the Gabba crease and he’s not sure what to expect on his return as visiting opposition. It’s the same old but with a new twist that Lynn hopes can bring the best out of him.

“It will be interesting to see what reception I get, if they boo or cheer. I’m not phased as long as I walk off that field with the win,” he said.

It’s been 11 months since the BBL’s all-time topscorer Chris Lynn stepped up to the Gabba crease. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

“I feel like I’m hitting the ball well. I would love to get a good score but if not, it’s not the end of the world. It’s just awesome to be back at the Gabba.

“You never know, it might be my last game at the Gabba — I don’t take anything for granted.”

Lynn insists there is no bad blood between he and the Heat and he’s purely focused on performing for the Strikers, who are one of the early pacesetters so far in BBL12.

“I have a fresh start in Adelaide now and I’m really enjoying it. We’re 3-0, the Heat are 0-2 and I would love to continue that (streak),” he said.

“This is just another game of cricket to me. There’s so much hype around it probably because they (the Heat) have nothing else to talk about at the moment.

Chris Lynn says he is happy with how he is striking the ball in BBL12. Picture: Sarah Reed/Getty Images

“I’m close mates with all those boys and I played a lot of cricket with them. I have the utmost respect for them, but I’m really comfortable with where I’m at with the Strikers.”

It’s been a fruitful start to life in Adelaide for the 32-year-old, who sits snugly among the top batsmen in the BBL over the first month.

While Matt Short has taken the tournament by storm, Lynn has been comfortable coming in at first drop without feeling some of the pressure he says began to take a toll towards the end of his time at the Heat.

“I just probably premeditated a bit (at the Heat) and sometimes you can drag off-field emotions onto the field,” Lynn recalled.

“I just feel in a really good space at the moment. People go through things like that in their careers; I feel like I’ve just taken a deep breath, taken a step back and I know it sounds cliche, but just playing what’s in front of me has been important.”

How Covid ended the Lynn-Heat marriage

– Robert Craddock

Brisbane Heat chairman Ian Healy believes the strain of Covid isolation played a major role in the club’s surprise parting with their long time linchpin Chris Lynn.

Lynn returns to the Gabba with the Adelaide Strikers to take on the Heat for the first time on the back of a solid start to the season with scores of 41, 36 and 28.

Lynn left the Heat after 11 seasons when his $1 million five year deal expired and was not renewed.

Given his status as one of the competition’s few major drawcards it was a huge call but Healy said demanding Covid protocols had played its part in exhausting the relationship.

“A lot of it stemmed from spending two years in bubbles,’’ Healy said. “The decision was mutual. He definitely wasn’t enjoying things. It needed a fresh start. I think at the time he felt flat as a tack. It had become a chore.

“He was living in bubbles in the Indian Premier League and other T20 leagues and it wasn’t easy. We wish him all the best.’’

Chris Lynn receives his Strikers cap from Peter Siddle at Adelaide Oval. Picture: Mark Brake/Getty Images

Spin twins Mitch Swepson and Matthew Kuhnemann are likely to be given the job of curtailing Lynn.

“He knows we will throw spin to him,’’ said Heat coach Wade Seccombe.

“I think it’s exciting for the Brisbane crowd he is back. He will have a lot of support. We would like to see him do well but not against us.’’

Adelaide Strikers coach Jason Gillespie has been impressed by Lynn’s transition.

“Admittedly he was a little nervous before his first game but he has settled in really well,’’ Gillespie told News Corp.

“Any time you move to a new team you want to show your wares. He has settled in really quickly. He has shown great initiative as a senior player spending time with our batters and bowlers. He has been a great fit for us.’’

Lynn has played in a measured way for his new team but Gillespie likes the way he has flicked into the gear needed for the night.

“The beauty of it is he is able to adapt his skills to the needs of the team.’’

The Strikers have won all three games while the Heat have lost both of their games.

The Heat have only won the Big Bash once and are under constant pressure to again crack the winning formula.