Naseem Shah apologises following PCB Rs20mn penalty

LAHORE: Pakistan fast bowler Naseem Shah has apologised after being hit with a Rs20 million fine by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) over a controversial social media post about Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz.

The post, shared on Shah’s X account, questioned the manner in which Maryam Nawaz was given a protocol, asking, “Why is she treated like the queen at Lord’s?”

It was quickly deleted, and Shah later claimed his account had been hacked, adding, “This account of Naseem was recently hacked but now recovered successfully.”

The PCB had earlier issued a show-cause notice, citing potential violations of Shah’s central contract and the board’s media policy.

The notification instructed him to submit a formal response within a set timeframe, with further action possible.

The controversy arose during the Pakistan Super League’s opening ceremony at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium, where Maryam Nawaz was in attendance. Beyond his post on X, Shah has not made any additional comments.

By issuing an apology, Shah appears to be attempting to put the matter behind him, though the Rs20 million penalty serves as a clear reminder of the board’s strict stance on player conduct online.