Pakistan cricket is already dealing with an ugly ball-tampering row that has involved Fakhar Zaman, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Haris Rauf during a Pakistan Super League (PSL) outing. Now, Lahore Qalandars have been hit by a fresh controversy, with Shaheen Afridi and their overseas batter Sikandar Raza accused of violating hotel security procedures tied to the team’s stay.
Key takeaways
- Shaheen Afridi and Sikandar Raza have been accused of breaching team security rules at their hotel during the PSL period.
- Police officials claim four guests were allowed into Raza’s eighth-floor room and the group stayed until 1:25 a.m.
- Two separate requests from the Lahore Qalandars’ liaison officer to admit the guests—around 10:35 p.m. and again at 11:00 p.m.—were reportedly rejected.
- Reports state that at about 11:05 p.m., PCB and security staff observed the guests being escorted into the room despite resistance from on-site security personnel.
- A senior police official has told the Pakistan Cricket Board the incident amounts to a violation of its security protocols and code of conduct.
- Raza denied the allegations at the post-match media interaction, saying the decision was his request involving family and friends.
Allegations of hotel security protocol breach
According to police officials, Shaheen Afridi and Sikandar Raza were found hosting four guests in Raza’s room on the eighth floor, with the visitors reportedly staying there until 1:25 a.m. The claim comes after earlier warnings and refusals relating to access to the room.
The team’s ownership group also reportedly approached the PSL’s chief executive, Salman Naseer, with the same request, but it was turned down on security grounds. Muhammad Faisal, DIG (Operations, Lahore), was also said to have informed the PSL CEO about the seriousness of the security lapse.
In the reported sequence, the Lahore Qalandars’ liaison officer sought approval twice to let guests into Raza’s room—first at roughly 10:35 p.m. and then again at 11:00 p.m. on Saturday. Both attempts were denied. Despite that, Shaheen and Raza were seen with the guests in the Zimbabwe batter’s room, where they remained until 1:25 a.m.
Reports further add that at around 11:05 p.m., PCB officials and members of the security team noticed Shaheen and Raza escorting the four guests into the room. This reportedly happened despite objections from security staff present at the venue.
PCB security concerns and Raza’s response
A senior police official has informed the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) that the incident violates the board’s security protocols and code of conduct—rules created to protect the safety and integrity of players, officials, and all individuals associated with the team.
Speaking during the post-match press conference, Raza rejected the allegations. He said that Shaheen did not act independently and that the request to meet his family and friends was his own. Raza also claimed there had been no such restrictions during the previous four years, and that neither he nor Shaheen was aware of any changes to the standard operating procedures if new limitations had been introduced.
“Shaheen ne koi manmani nahi kari. Meri hi request thi, Maine kaha tha meri family and friends aaye hai. Pehle 4 saalo me aisa kuch bhi nahi tha. Mujhe mere family aur relatives ko milne ki ijazat thi. Ab agar ye SOPs the toh iska na mujhe aur to some extent Shaheen bhi aware nahi tha [He did not force anyone. In fact it was my request as it was my family and frieends. In previous four years, there was never a restriction on meeting my family and relatives. If the SOPs have changes, neither me not to an extent was Shaheen aware of the same],” Raza said.
