The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has issued updated instructions to every Pakistan Super League (PSL) franchise after a security-protocol lapse at a team hotel. The board has warned that additional breaches will be met with no leniency.
The fresh directive followed a post on social media by Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza, who is currently playing for Lahore Qalandars. Raza said he was thankful to the PCB for permission to meet his family at the team hotel.
PCB’s new rules for family visits
- The PCB has asked all PSL franchises to strictly follow hotel security protocols.
- Players and team staff cannot meet family members at the team hotel without prior approval.
- Any request for a family visit must be submitted at least 24 hours in advance.
- The PCB will try to set up a suitable meeting arrangement inside the team hotel for the player(s) and family.
- Inside a player’s room, only a wife, parents, brother and sister are permitted.
- Such room access is allowed only after board clearance made 24 hours before the visit.
- Police officials reviewed the breach involving Lahore captain Shaheen Shah Afridi and Sikandar Raza.
- Four guests were reportedly found in Raza’s room late on Saturday night.
In an official message sent to franchises and relevant parties, the PCB stated that families may only be accommodated with the board’s approval ahead of time. Requests must reach the board no later than 24 hours before the intended arrival, the communication clarified.
The board also indicated it will attempt to facilitate a suitable meeting location within the team hotel for the player and family members. That approach is meant to ensure privacy while still maintaining controlled access around squads.
Further restrictions were laid out on who can enter a player’s room. The PCB said only a player’s wife, parents, brother and sister will be allowed inside the room, and even then permission must be cleared by the board at least a day before the visit.
Security authorities took a serious view of the incident involving Lahore captain Shaheen Shah Afridi and Sikandar Raza, which occurred late last Saturday night. Police officials reportedly flagged that four guests were found in Raza’s room during the late hours.
Police officials conveyed to the PCB that safe and secure hotel environments for players and team officials will be difficult to guarantee unless every franchise adheres closely to the security procedures. The PCB’s security manager and its anti-corruption head were also understood to have raised concerns about the breach with PSL chief executive Salman Naseer.
