PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi is facing growing concerns over multiple issues relating to the Pakistan Super League (PSL), with reports suggesting that the Pakistan Cricket Board chief is particularly upset over a security incident at a hotel involving Lahore Qalandars players.
The situation comes at a time when PSL 2026 is already being held with restrictions. Matches in Lahore are being held without spectators and the tournament is taking place with fewer venues due to fuel and travel issues in Pakistan related to the West Asia crisis. The PCB had put measures in place to manage the event, but the league has witnessed multiple controversies in quick succession.
The hotel security issue had arisen before. Lahore captain Shaheen Shah Afridi and Zimbabwe all-rounder Sikandar Raza were accused of violating security regulations at the team’s hotel in Lahore by allowing visitors into a room despite objections from security staff. The incident raised questions about discipline and arrangements at a tournament where security was a key focus.
A PCB source was quoted by news agency PTI as saying: “(PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi is not particularly happy with the hotel incident as the PCB is taking great care to ensure that the event goes ahead without incident and has even banned spectators from league matches at the Gaddafi Stadium for the time being.”
The pressure increased further after a controversy over ball tampering during Lahore’s match against Karachi Kings on Sunday. Just before the end of Karachi’s chase, with 14 runs needed, the umpires checked the ball and ruled that its condition had changed. A five-run penalty was imposed on Lahore and the ball was replaced, reducing the target to nine. Karachi won by four wickets with three balls remaining.
The matter escalated after Lahore batsman Fakhar Zaman was charged with a Level 3 offense under the PSL Code of Conduct for allegedly tampering with the ball. Fakhar denied the charge during a hearing before match referee Roshan Mahanama. Shaheen later said the franchise would review the footage and distanced itself from the incident.
For the PCB, the concern now goes beyond a single coincidence. The focus is on the attention the league is receiving. “The board is not happy with the fact that the PSL is gaining ground for the wrong reasons, starting with the incident where the color of the ball turned pink during the first league match,” the source added, quoted by news agency PTI.
The PSL season had already started with limited venues and restricted public access, with fans asked to watch from home. The hotel security issue and the ball-tampering allegation have now added to the challenges the board was trying to avoid.