Younis Khan Slams PCB's Heavy Fine on Naseem Shah Over Political Tweet
Former Pakistan cricket captain Younis Khan has launched a sharp criticism against the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), currently led by Mohsin Naqvi, for imposing a substantial fine of PKR 20 million on fast bowler Naseem Shah. The controversy erupted following a now-deleted post on Naseem Shah's official X account during the opening match of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2026.
What Triggered the Controversy?
The post, which quote-tweeted a PCB update from the PSL opener, read: "Why is she treated like the Queen at Lord's?" This was widely interpreted as a pointed remark targeting Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, who attended the match at Lahore's Gaddafi Stadium with a high-profile security convoy and later interacted with players. Although the tweet was quickly removed and a follow-up claim suggested the account had been hacked, PCB officials remained unconvinced by this explanation.
Within 24 hours, Naseem Shah received a show-cause notice for breaching his central contract and violating established media guidelines. The PCB later confirmed that Shah had violated multiple clauses of his contract, particularly those prohibiting players from publicly criticizing officials or associated entities. Despite this disciplinary action, Shah remains available for selection and is expected to continue participating in the ongoing tournament.
PCB Imposes Fine and Tightens Social Media Rules
The PCB disciplinary committee imposed the PKR 20 million fine within three days of the incident, even after Naseem Shah reportedly apologized and terminated his social media manager. "It was noted that Naseem Shah's social media adviser has already been terminated... and shall be blacklisted," the board stated in an official release.
In response to this controversy, the PCB has introduced stricter social media guidelines for players and their management teams. Under the new rules, players and their representatives must now seek prior approval before posting content online, especially on matters with political implications. The board also issued a warning that political posts could attract fines of up to PKR 10 million in future cases.
Younis Khan Calls Punishment 'Harsh'
Younis Khan has questioned the severity of the penalty, arguing that the board should have demonstrated leniency after the player admitted his mistake. "Once Naseem had apologized and clarified the situation, the board could have let him off with a warning or a much lesser fine," Younis stated emphatically.
He further warned that such stringent actions could negatively impact player morale within the national setup. "The board should be taking care of its players. If such strict standards are applied, then selectors and officials should also be held accountable for their mistakes," Younis added, urging the PCB to reconsider its decision given Shah's demonstrated remorse.
This incident is not isolated in PCB's disciplinary history. Last year, all-rounder Aamer Jamal was fined $4,000 for displaying a political slogan during a match, highlighting ongoing tensions between player expression and board regulations in Pakistani cricket.
