New Delhi, March 28 (NationPress) The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is currently evaluating actions against fast bowler Naseem Shah following a contentious social media post that criticized Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz. The tweet, which has since been deleted, made headlines during the opening match of the Pakistan Super League (PSL).

The post originated from Naseem's verified X account and quote-tweeted a PCB media announcement regarding the PSL opener featuring Quetta Gladiators and Hyderabad Kingsmen in Lahore. The tweet asked, “Why is she treated like the Queen at Lord’s?” This comment was interpreted as a direct jab at Maryam’s grand entrance at Gaddafi Stadium, where she was accompanied by an extensive security detail and was seen mingling with players from both teams.

The tweet was promptly removed, and a subsequent message claimed that the account had been compromised. However, this explanation reportedly did not satisfy PCB officials, as noted by The Daily Star. Within a day, the board issued a show-cause notice to Naseem for allegedly violating the terms of his central contract and breaching the organization’s media policy.

The alleged infraction pertains to a clause that forbids players from publicly criticizing board officials, sponsors, or related entities. Despite facing disciplinary measures, Naseem is still eligible for selection and is anticipated to participate in his team’s upcoming match.

This incident comes in the context of an unusually quiet PSL season, which began on March 26 under stringent regulations. After discussions with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and franchise representatives, the PCB decided to restrict the tournament to only two locations, Lahore and Karachi, while prohibiting spectators. Several cities, including Peshawar, Multan, Rawalpindi, and Faisalabad, were omitted from the schedule as part of measures to conserve fuel amidst ongoing regional tensions related to the Gulf conflict.

Previously, the militant group Jamaat-ul-Ahrar had issued a warning to international players, urging them to withdraw from the tournament. In a strongly worded statement, the group noted, “The current internal security and political landscape of the country is volatile and precarious. In a climate where military operations and civil unrest dominate significant portions of the territory, the safety of international athletes cannot be guaranteed.”

The statement further advised, “Given these dire circumstances, we strongly recommend you prioritize your personal safety and withdraw from the tournament immediately. The environment is currently unsuitable for any peaceful sporting activity.”

Despite these warnings and the tense security situation, the PSL continues as planned, with several foreign players such as David Warner and Marnus Labuschagne still participating.