Lahore Qalandars have fined their captain Shaheen Shah Afridi PKR 1 million for breaching Pakistan Super League (PSL) security protocols. The decision follows allegations by the Punjab Police, who accused Afridi of violating established security rules at the team hotel.
The incident involved letting unauthorized visitors into the players’ hotel room despite express denials from PSL and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) security officials. Lahore Qalandars said in a statement that the fine was imposed to maintain discipline and maintain accountability in the team.
Read the full article
“While Lahore Qalandars emphasized that the matter arose out of a misunderstanding rather than a deliberate attempt to breach established procedures, it again fully respects all security protocols,” the statement said.
“The organization reaffirmed its commitment to strict adherence to standard operating procedures (SOPs) and emphasized the importance of continued clarity and consistency in protocol communication to avoid similar situations in the future.”
The episode took place on Saturday night when four visitors, allegedly known to Sikandar Raza, spent nearly three hours in the room of one of the players. This was despite repeated denials of clearance from PCB security manager and PSL CEO Salman Naseer.
WHAT WAS AFRIDI’S SECURITY BREACH ABOUT?
The controversy began when the Qalandar liaison officer asked Raza’s acquaintances for permission to visit the hotel room. The request was rejected on security grounds and a subsequent appeal by team owner Sameen Rana to the PSL CEO was also rejected.
Despite these refusals, Afridi and Raza reportedly escorted the visitors to the players’ room, allegedly ignoring resistance from on-duty security personnel. The Punjab Police described the action as a breach of protocols designed to protect players and officials.
According to a letter from the Punjab Police posted on social media, though Raza claimed the visitors stayed for about 40 minutes, the police said they stayed for around three hours. The letter accused Afridi and Raza of disobeying PCB security and PSL administration guidelines.
While the Lahore Qalandars acknowledged the incident, they said it was overstated and needlessly escalated in public discussions. The organization reaffirmed its respect for security protocols and committed to clearer communication to avoid similar issues in the future.
During the press conference, Sikandar Raza accepted responsibility for the breach and tried to absolve Afridi of the blame. The Qalandars took no disciplinary action against Raz.
A statement from the Lahore Qalandars emphasized that the matter arose out of a misunderstanding rather than a deliberate breach. They reiterated their commitment to strict adherence to standard operating procedures and called for greater clarity in enforcing the protocol.
– The end
Issued by:
Debodinna Chakraborty
Published on:
31 Mar 2026 07:14 IST
