Pakistan Cricket Board fines Naseem Shah over social media post about Maryam Nawaz

Pakistan Cricket Board Fines Naseem Shah $71,488 Over Social Media Post

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has imposed a fine of 20 million Pakistani rupees ($71,488) on pace bowler Naseem Shah for breaching his central contract and social media guidelines. The fine was handed down after Shah posted a critical comment about Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz’s presence at the opening match of the Pakistan Super League.

The post, which has since been deleted, questioned Nawaz’s treatment as if she were a queen at Lord’s Cricket Ground. Shah later apologized and claimed his account was hacked. However, he admitted that the post was made by his management team and did not reflect his views.

Shah appeared before a disciplinary committee in Lahore and offered an unconditional apology. The PCB has also terminated his social media adviser and blacklisted them from associating with any player under their jurisdiction.

The fine is reportedly the largest in Pakistan cricket history, equivalent to eight months of Shah’s central contract salary. Shah was one of the most expensive players at the league’s auction, snapped up by Rawalpindi Pindiz. He has represented Pakistan in 20 Test matches, 34 one-day internationals, and 37 T20s.

The PCB has stated that Shah will implement changes to ensure such incidents do not happen again.

Source: Al Jazeera