Naseem Shah, a quick bowler, will be out of action for the HBL PSL 11, second match between Peshawar and Quetta. The PCB has taken sudden notice of social media controversy that erupted after the opening night of the to PCB Issues Show Cause Notice to Cricketer Naseem Shahurnament. Moreover, a strong show cause notice has been served to centrally contracted fast bowlers.
Also, the incident raised concerns over the players’ conduct, social media accountability and the national cricketers’ strict code of conduct.
The Social Media Controversy at PSL 11 Opener
A post on Naseem Shah’s verified account on X, formerly twitter, gained prominence during the PSL 11 opening ceremony and match in Lahore, where Maryam Nawaz was a special guest. The post was taken down quickly but not before it became pretty controversial.
Why does she get treated like a queen at Lords?Despite the short period of being displayed by a social media user, a post went viral and an issue arose in cricket and political circles of Pakistan. The PCB took immediate notice of this.
Naseem Shah’s Defense Against Claim
A clarification was posted from Naseem’s Twitter account after deletion of an objectionable message. The fast bowler of Pakistan entirely disconnected himself from the message which he termed a cybersecurity breach. The follow-up message, explaining the criticism, read, “This account of Naseem was hacked recently but now successfully recovered”.
This account of Naseem was recently hacked but now recovered successfully
— Naseem Shah (@iNaseemShah) March 26, 2026
PCB’s Strict Stance on Player Conduct
Naseem Shah has been issued a show cause notice by the PCB after the unfortunate incident that took place during the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy. According to a PCB official, the matter has been confirmed and the pacer has been made to issue a reply. A PCB spokesperson said Naseem Shah has been asked to furnish a response within the deadline. The official of the board added they have zero tolerance and those who will breach the discipline will be held accountable. The PCB has assured that they always abide by professional standards along with contractual obligations and are well within their rights to defend the game.
What Happens Next?
The PSL is facing many issues at a very sensitive time. Off-the-field narratives are slowly getting merged with on the field narratives for the cricket matches. The response of Naseem Shah to the show cause notice will now determine the controversy.
Once the response is furnished, PCB will take into account the evidence and adjudicate if a further penalty of fine or suspension is necessary or not.
Why did the PCB issue a show cause notice to Naseem Shah?
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) issued a show cause notice to Naseem Shah due to a controversial post made from his official X (formerly Twitter) account regarding Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz during the PSL 11 opening ceremony.
What did the controversial tweet say?
The now-deleted tweet from Naseem Shah’s account read: “Why is she treated like the queen at Lords?” in reference to Maryam Nawaz’s presence at the Gaddafi Stadium.
How did Naseem Shah respond to the controversy?
Shortly after the tweet was deleted, a follow-up post on his account claimed that his profile had been hacked. He distanced himself from the statement, stating that the account had been successfully recovered.
Will Naseem Shah face a ban or a fine?
The PCB has given Naseem Shah a stipulated time to submit a formal response to the show cause notice. Any potential disciplinary action, such as a fine or suspension, will be determined by the board after reviewing his official explanation.
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