PCB tightens grip post Naseem Shah controversy, warns centrally contracted players
Modern cricket isn’t just about what happens on the field anymore. Players today carry their identity off it as well, especially in the age of social media. And sometimes, one wrong move online can create as much noise as anything in a match. The Pakistan Cricket Board made that clear recently. Naseem Shah was fined PKR 20 million by PCB (AFP) Naseem Shah, the 23-year-old fast bowler, found himself at the centre of a controversy after a post from his account appeared to take a dig at Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, asking, “Why is she being treated like a queen at Lord’s?” He later claimed that his account had been hacked, but by then, the conversation had already gathered momentum. The PCB didn’t take long to respond. A PKR 20 million fine and a show-cause notice followed, sending a strong signal that the board is not willing to overlook such issues. It also made one thing clear: players, along with those managing their social media accounts, will be held responsible if guidelines are breached. …
