LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has warned its centrally contracted players that they must not post anything on social media without prior approval from the board’s media department, sources told Geo News. This advisory forms part of a broader directive outlining players’ contractual obligations, especially regarding their conduct on social platforms.
Sources familiar with the matter said players have been instructed to strictly follow all clauses in their central contracts, including adherence to the PCB’s social media policy. Player managers have also been reminded of these rules to ensure consistent compliance.
Political Posts Strictly Prohibited
The PCB has explicitly stated that political posts will not be tolerated under any circumstances. Any player found posting controversial or politically sensitive content may face a minimum fine of Rs10 million.
This warning comes in the wake of a high-profile incident involving national fast bowler Naseem Shah, who was fined Rs20 million for a tweet about Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz. The 23-year-old pacer’s post, which was a quote-retweet of a PCB media post showing Chairman Mohsin Naqvi greeting the chief minister, quickly attracted widespread attention and debate across social media.
Controversy During PSL Opening Ceremony
The controversy originated at the opening ceremony of the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL) season at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium, where the Punjab chief minister attended as the chief guest. During the event, PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi welcomed Maryam Nawaz and introduced her to franchise owners and players.
Soon after, Naseem Shah’s post went viral, generating mixed reactions among fans and the cricketing community. Later, the pacer clarified that his account had recently been hacked and that the post was not intentional.
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The PCB’s directive underscores the board’s commitment to ensuring that players follow contractual and social media guidelines. By issuing this warning, the board aims to prevent politically sensitive or controversial content from being shared publicly, reminding players and their managers to exercise caution while representing the national team online.
