Naseem Shah was reportedly on the verge of a two-year ban, but a late intervention resulted in a financial penalty instead, keeping his career on track. The development was discussed by former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali, who said the Pakistan Cricket Board chose not to impose the suspension after reviewing the situation.
Quick facts
At a glance
- Basit Ali said Naseem Shah was facing a possible two-year ban before the final outcome.
- The PCB imposed a PKR 20 million fine on the 23-year-old for a controversial social media post.
- The fine was linked to criticism of Maryam Nawaz’s presence at the PSL opening match.
- Basit Ali credited PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi for steering the decision toward a fine rather than a ban.
- Naseem was given a show-cause notice on March 27 after Maryam visited the Gaddafi Stadium as chief guest for the PSL opener.
- The PCB said Naseem issued an unconditional apology and that committee findings pointed to central contract breaches.
- Naseem’s social media adviser was reportedly terminated and blacklisted by the PCB.
The Pakistan Cricket Board fined the 23-year-old PKR 20 million (about USD 72,000) for a social media post that took aim at Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz’s attendance at the PSL opener. Basit Ali noted that the comment was made in the backdrop of an ongoing Middle East conflict, and the post was later taken down.
In the now-deleted message, Naseem questioned Maryam’s treatment, writing, “Why is she being treated like the Queen at Lords?” Maryam is the daughter of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif and the niece of current Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
Why the ban was reportedly avoided
Basit Ali claimed that the key factor behind the outcome was PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi’s stance. He said the pacer’s fate had been heading toward a two-year suspension, citing committee indications, but Naqvi reportedly advised against banning Naseem and instead pushed for a fine.
Basit Ali argued that while penalties can be monetary, careers should not be jeopardised without necessity. He also suggested that central contract clauses are meant to be followed once players sign them, and that the incident should not have escalated to a point where a multi-year ban was on the table.
He further reasoned that the “mistake” should have been avoided either by the player or by his team, stressing that two years is a long time in a professional sporting career.
Basit Ali added that Naseem’s career was saved after Naqvi reportedly refused to back a suspension, insisting on a fine instead. He framed the decision as one that protects the player’s future while still delivering a disciplinary response.
Notice, apology and committee findings
Naseem was served a show-cause notice on March 27, immediately after Maryam attended the PSL opener at the Gaddafi Stadium as the chief guest. The post was deleted soon afterward, with a claim that the account had been hacked, but the PCB did not accept that explanation.
The PCB said Naseem issued an unconditional apology for his conduct. It also stated that the committee reviewed his response, evaluated the matter, and concluded that Naseem had breached multiple clauses of his central contract.
The board’s statement added that a fine of PKR 2 crore was imposed following the committee’s assessment. The PCB also said that Naseem’s social media adviser had already been terminated and blacklisted by the board.
With the disciplinary action now finalised, the focus shifts back to the on-field programme for Pakistan’s fast bowler, whose career—at least for now—has not been derailed by the kind of suspension that was reportedly being considered earlier.
