The Pakistan Cricket Board has told Naseem Shah to explain himself after a short-lived post on X appeared to mock Punjab chief minister Maryam Nawaz. In a brief statement late on Wednesday, the board said the fast bowler had “violated the terms of his central contract and the PCB media policy”. Any sanction, the board added, will be decided once Naseem replies.
The post at the centre of the row popped up during Friday night’s PSL opener in Lahore. A video on the PCB’s own feed showed Nawaz arriving at the Gaddafi Stadium with a sizeable security convoy before greeting players from Lahore Qalandars and Hyderabad Kingsmen. Naseem’s account quote-tweeted the clip and asked, “Why is she treated like the Queen at Lord’s?” The line was gone within minutes, replaced by a note claiming the account had been hacked and “is now secure”.
That explanation has not calmed the board. A day later the PCB invoked clause 2.23 of its code, which forbids “public criticism of, or inappropriate comment in relation to the Board, any of its officials or sponsors or policies”. A senior PCB official, speaking on background, said: “We can’t have centrally-contracted players taking political shots, whether the original post was theirs or not.”
Former Pakistan opener Bazid Khan offered a measured view on Geo. “Players know the rules. If you hit Send, even by accident, screenshots live for ever,” he said. “At the same time, the board must show consistency. The process is there—let it run.”
Naseem has not commented beyond the hacking claim, and his agent declined to elaborate when contacted by this paper. The 23-year-old quick is due to play for expansion side Rawalpindi Pindiz against Peshawar Zalmi on Saturday. Pindiz coach Azhar Mahmood kept things simple: “He’s training well. We’ll deal with any off-field stuff once the board finishes its work.”
Politics has hovered over Pakistan cricket for a while. Last December all-rounder Aamer Jamal was fined more than PKR 1 million for turning up to a Test training session with “804” inked under his floppy hat—a reference to former prime minister Imran Khan’s prisoner number. “The message from the PCB is clear: keep your politics at home,” said veteran analyst Qamar Ahmed. “You may agree or disagree, but that’s the line.”
Friday’s fixture itself raised eyebrows. PCB chair Mohsin Naqvi had announced days earlier that, because of fuel-saving measures linked to the Strait of Hormuz closure, the entire tournament would be played behind closed doors. Yet the opener featured a cluster of invited guests, Nawaz among them. “Different rules for the powerful is what riles the public,” former captain Rashid Latif told PTV. “Cricketers, like fans, notice these things.”
Where the case goes next will depend on Naseem’s written reply, due within seven days. Possible penalties range from a reprimand to a match ban; fines are also on the table. The PCB statement noted that “any further comment is inappropriate until the process concludes”.
For now, Rawalpindi’s management are planning as if their spearhead will take the new ball. “We’re focused on cricket,” Azhar repeated, “and Naseem’s ready to bowl quick.” The league’s newest franchise could do with his pace; Peshawar’s top order is stacked.
Whatever happens, the episode is another reminder that social media remains a minefield for professional athletes. As Bazid put it, looking slightly weary, “Sometimes the best tweet is the one you never write.”
