Shah was fined $71,000 for a tweet questioning the presence of the Punjab Chief Minister at the inaugural match of the PSL during the economic crisis.
Published on 31 March 2026
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has fined Naseem Shah 20 million Pakistani rupees ($71,488) for violating multiple clauses of his central contract and social media guidelines after he wrote a social media post criticizing Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz.
The fast bowler was punished on Monday for a now-deleted post on X in which he questioned Nawaz’s presence in the opening match of the Pakistan Super League, which is being played behind closed doors as the country grapples with a fuel crisis.
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The PCB, headed by Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, had issued a show cause notice to Shah before local media described it as the biggest financial penalty in the history of Pakistan cricket and equivalent to almost eight months of Shah’s central contract salary.
Nawaz was invited to Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium along with other dignitaries on Thursday and was introduced to officials and players of the eight franchises before the opening game.
Shah wrote on Twitter: “Why is she treated like a queen at Lord’s?” In apparent reference to Nawaz’s presence at the stadium. He deleted the post soon after and later said that his account had been hacked.
The 23-year-old player apologized and appeared before a three-member disciplinary committee in Lahore on Monday and was found guilty. The PCB said Shah offered an “unconditional apology” during the proceedings.
“It is noted that Naseem Shah’s social media advisor has already been dismissed by Naseem and he will be blacklisted by the PCB from associating with any player who comes under the PCB’s jurisdiction,” the PCB said in a statement.
Shah acknowledged on X that the post was created by his management team and does not reflect his views.
“I take full responsibility for my platform and have implemented the necessary changes to ensure this does not happen again,” Shah wrote on X on Monday.
As a result of the United States–Israel war over Iran, fans have been barred from attending games in Pakistan’s premier domestic T20 tournament, which has been reduced to two venues, Lahore and Karachi. The rise in fuel prices has prompted the government to urge people to restrict travel and work from home.
Shah was the most expensive player in the league auction, where he was bought by the new franchise Rawalpindi Pindies. He has represented Pakistan in 20 Test matches, 34 ODIs and 37 T20 matches, taking 152 wickets.
Last year, Pakistan all-rounder Aamir Jamal was fined $4,000 for displaying a slogan in favor of Pakistan’s jailed former prime minister, cricket great Imran Khan.
