The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has issued a formal show-cause notice to right-arm pacer Naseem Shah over a controversial tweet targeting Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz.
The incident occurred after the opening ceremony of PSL 11 at Gaddafi Stadium, which the Chief Minister attended as guest of honour for the high-profile event.
PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi welcomed Maryam Nawaz and introduced her to franchise owners and players participating in the ongoing Pakistan Super League tournament this week.
Maryam Nawaz extended her best wishes to all teams and was formally introduced to players from both sides ahead of the curtain-raiser match at the stadium.
Controversial Tweet and Public Reaction
Shortly after the ceremony, a post from the verified X account of Naseem Shah drew widespread attention for quoting a PCB media post featuring Chairman Naqvi greeting the Chief Minister.
The now-deleted message read: “Why is she being treat like the queen at Lords?” and quickly sparked debate across social media among cricket fans nationwide.
Addressing the controversy, Naseem Shah clarified that the post was unintentional, stating that his X account had been compromised and the issue was caused by a security breach.
“This account of Naseem was recently hacked but now recovered successfully,” he wrote, stressing the tweet did not reflect his personal opinion or intent on the matter.
Disciplinary Action and Contractual Implications
Despite his explanation, the PCB confirmed that Naseem Shah has received a show-cause notice for violating the terms of his central contract and the board’s media regulations.
The cricket board further explained that any future action against the pacer will be decided after reviewing his response, in accordance with the disciplinary framework and stipulated response time.
The 23-year-old fast bowler is set to represent Rawalpindz in PSL 11, although his participation remains uncertain amid the ongoing disciplinary proceedings.
“The PCB remains committed to upholding professional standards, contractual obligations, and integrity in cricket,” the board said, emphasizing the importance of adherence to policies for all players.
