The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has imposed a hefty fine of 20 million Pakistani rupees ($72,000) on fast bowler Naseem Shah for a controversial social media post.

PCB fines Naseem Shah ₹2 crore

Pakistan's star fast bowler Naseem Shah is in trouble. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has fined him 20 million Pakistani rupees for violating the PCB's central contract rules. Naseem Shah had tweeted on his social media account about Nawaz Sharif's daughter Maryam's, attendance at a cricket event.

The post criticized the presence of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz at the opening match of the Pakistan Super League (PSL). Made during the first match of the 2026 PSL, the post mocked the royal welcome accorded to Maryam at the Gaddafi Stadium. Maryam is the daughter of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and niece of current Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif.

Naseem Shah had posted, referring to Maryam, "Why is she being treated like the Queen of Lords?" The incident occurred after the PCB banned fans from attending PSL matches in Lahore and Karachi to follow fuel saving and government expenditure cutting measures in the wake of the Gulf War.

The PCB announced that its disciplinary committee had found Naseem guilty of violating the terms of his central contract and not adhering to social media guidelines. Naseem was issued a show-cause notice on March 27, shortly after Maryam arrived at the Gaddafi Stadium as the chief guest for the PSL's opening match.

The tweet was immediately deleted, and it was claimed that the account had been hacked, but the PCB did not accept this explanation.
The board stated that Naseem had responded to the show-cause notice and apologized unconditionally for his behavior, but the disciplinary committee found him guilty of indiscipline. Naseem's social media advisor has already been removed by the PCB, and he has been blacklisted.