PCB accuses pacer Naseem Shah of ‘central breach of contract’ after post targeting Punjab CM Maryam Naseem Shah came under the Pakistan Cricket Board’s scanner after a now-deleted social media post from his official X account appeared to lash out at Punjab (province of Pakistan) Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz during the opening match of the Pakistan Super League.what was the incident?Tweeting a PCB update from the opener between Quetta Gladiators and Hyderabad Kingsmen in Lahore, the post read: “Why is she being treated like a queen at Lord’s? It was widely seen as a remark directed at Maryam Nawaz’s high-profile arrival at the Gaddafi Stadium, where she was escorted by a large security convoy and later interacted with the players.”
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Impact Player Rule: Game Changer or All-Round Killer? The tweet was quickly deleted and a subsequent message claimed the account had been hacked. However, according to The Daily Star, the PCB officials were not convinced by the explanation. Within a day, the board served Naseem with a show-cause notice, citing violations of his central contract and violations of media guidelines.The alleged offense is believed to fall under a clause banning players from publicly criticizing board officials, sponsors or affiliated entities. Despite the disciplinary action, Naseem remains available for selection and is likely to feature in his team’s next match.The controversy comes amid a subdued PSL season that began on March 26 under strict restrictions. After consultations with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and franchise stakeholders, the PCB restricted the tournament to Lahore and Karachi, with the matches being played behind closed doors. Venues in Peshawar, Multan, Rawalpindi and Faisalabad were cut from the schedule to save fuel amid ongoing regional tensions linked to the Gulf conflict.Pakistani militant group Jamaat-ul-Ahrar had earlier warned overseas players and called on them to withdraw from the league.“The current internal security and political situation in the country is volatile and uncertain. In a climate where military operations and civil unrest dominate large parts of the territory, the safety of international athletes cannot be guaranteed.”The group added: “Given these dire circumstances, we strongly advise you to prioritize your personal safety and withdraw from the tournament immediately. The environment is currently unsuitable for any peaceful sporting activity.”Despite the warnings and security concerns, the PSL went ahead as planned and several overseas players, including David Warner and Marnus Labuschagno, continue to participate.Also See: RCB vs SRH
