Naseem Shah has been fined PKR 20 million (US$70,000) over his now-deleted post about Punjab's chief minister Maryam Nawaz.
What was the post that cost Naseem Shah a masssive fine?
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had decided that the 11th season of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) would be played without spectators, and only in Lahore and Karachi, owing to the recent fuel crisis in the country, triggered by the ongoing war in the Middle East.
But several dignitaries, including Nawaz, attended the PSL 2026 season opener between Lahore Qalandars and Hyderabad Kingsmen at the Gaddafi Stadium on March 26. Naseem, who was signed by Rawalpindiz, one of the two new entrants to the league with Hyderabad, quoted a tweet from PCB media featuring Nawaz and wrote on his X account, "Why is she treated like the Queen at Lord's?" At the time, it was unclear whether Naseem posted it himself, or whether it was put up by his social media adviser.
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The post was soon taken down, with the Pakistan quick claiming that the account was “recently hacked but now recovered successfully.” Nawaz is the daughter of former Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and niece of current PM Shahbaz Sharif.
The PCB had subsequently issued a show-cause notice to Naseem on March 27. A three-member disciplinary committee was set up after the pacer submitted his response, and a hearing was held on March 30, PCB confirmed in a statement. Naseem was found to have “breached various clauses of his central contract”, and he was handed a fine of PKR 2 crore (US$70,000); it is believed to be the biggest fine in Pakistan cricket history.
“Whilst noting the unconditional apology tendered, Naseem is found to have breached various clauses of his Central Contract and a fine of PKR 2 crores has been imposed,” the statement read. “It was noted that Naseem Shah's social media adviser has already been terminated by Naseem and shall be blacklisted by the PCB from associating with any player falling under the PCB's jurisdiction.”
After the ruling, the pacer posted on his X account that "a recent post from my account was made by my management team and does not reflect my views." He added that he has "taken full responsibility of my platform and have implemented the necessary changes to ensure it does not happen again." Naseem played in Rawalpindiz's opening game of the PSL 2026 season, against Peshawar Zalmi, but went for 51 runs in four overs as Zalmi chased down 215.
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