PCB imposes heavy fine on Naseem Shah over social media post about Maryam Nawaz

Updated by Faith Barbara N Ruhinda at 1352 EAT on Tuesday 31 March 2026

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has imposed a 20 million Pakistani rupee (about $71,488) fine on fast bowler Naseem Shah for violating provisions of his central contract and the board’s social media policy after he criticised Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz online.

In a post on X, which has since been deleted, Naseem questioned Nawaz’s attendance at the opening match of the Pakistan Super League (PSL), currently being played behind closed doors amid a nationwide fuel crisis.

Fast bowler Naseem Shah was issued a show-cause notice by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), chaired by Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, before being handed what local media describe as the largest financial penalty in Pakistan cricket history—equivalent to roughly eight months of his central contract salary.

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz had been invited to Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium on Thursday alongside other dignitaries, where she was introduced to officials of the eight Pakistan Super League (PSL) franchises and players ahead of the opening match.

In a now-deleted post on X, Shah wrote, “Why is she treated like the queen at Lord’s?”, in an apparent reference to Nawaz’s presence at the venue. He removed the post shortly afterwards and later claimed his account had been hacked.

The 23-year-old subsequently apologised and appeared before a three-member disciplinary committee in Lahore on Monday, where he was found guilty. The PCB said Shah offered an “unconditional apology” during the proceedings.

In a statement, the board added that Shah’s social media adviser had already been dismissed and would be blacklisted from working with any player under the PCB’s jurisdiction.

Naseem Shah acknowledged on X that the controversial post was shared by his management team and said it “does not reflect” his views.

“I take full responsibility for my platform and have made the necessary changes to ensure this does not happen again,” he wrote on Monday.

Amid fallout from the United States–Israel war on Iran, fans have been barred from attending matches at Pakistan’s premier domestic T20 tournament, which has been limited to two venues—Lahore and Karachi. Rising fuel prices have also prompted the government to urge citizens to restrict travel and work from home.

Shah was the most expensive signing at the league’s auction, snapped up by the new franchise Rawalpindi Pindiz. He has taken 152 wickets for Pakistan across 20 Test matches, 34 one-day internationals and 37 T20 internationals.

The incident follows a similar case last year, when Pakistan all-rounder Aamer Jamal was fined $4,000 for displaying a slogan in support of former prime minister and cricket great Imran Khan, who is currently in prison

-Aljazeera

Invest or Donate towards HICGI New Agency Global Media Establishment – Watch video here