Fast bowler Naseem Shah’s playing career could’ve come to a halt for two years had it not been for Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi, claims Basit Ali. Shah triggered a controversy after a post on his social media account questioned the treatment Pakistan Super League (PSL) meted out to Maryam Nawaz, the current Chief Minister of Punjab and daughter of former Pakistan PM Nawaz Sharif.
A three-member disciplinary committee wanted Shah to be taught a stern lesson by banning him for two years. However, Naqvi rejected the proposal and instead advised a fine.
“Naseem Shah is very lucky,” Ali, a former Pakistani cricketer, said on ARY News. “Here’s the inside story – he was about to face a 2-year ban. The credit goes to Mohsin Naqvi.
He refused and said, ‘No, don’t impose a ban – just fine him. He has a future. He can pay money, but you shouldn’t play with someone’s career.’ He stopped the ban.”
PSL shared a clip of Maryam meeting officials ahead of the season-opening match between Lahore Qalandars and Hyderabad Kingsmen at the Gaddafi Stadium. This after PCB had announced that the matches will be played behind the closed doors due to the ongoing West Asia crisis.
Shah quote-tweeted the video and asked, “Why is she treated like the Queen at Lord’s?”
He quickly deleted the post before claiming his account was hacked.
PCB then sent him a show-cause notice and on Monday imposed PKR 20 million fine (USD 72000 approx.). The right-arm pacer then tendered an unconditional apology besides sacking his social media manager.
“When they (players) sign the central contract, all the clauses are written there. Why don’t they read them at that time? And why do they send their manager instead? It was a mistake – whether you say it was the manager’s fault or Naseem Shah’s. Otherwise, it would have been a 2-year ban. Two years is a long time,” Ali said.
