Mohsin Naqvi’s Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has reportedly tightened rules for hotel visitors amid the ongoing Pakistan Super League 2026 (PSL). A few days ago, Lahore Qalandars’ Shaheen Shah Afridi and Sikandar Raza were accused of violating rules for taking some guests to their hotel room without any prior notice. This incident raised major security concerns in the PSL.
A few days after the incident, on Wednesday (April 1) it was reported that the PCB has issued new guidelines to maintain safety protocols. According to the latest reports, the board headed by Mohsin Naqvi has informed the players of all the PSL franchises and franchise league teams to inform the board in advance if they want to have any guests in their hotel rooms.
Mohsin Naqvi-led PCB issues new guidelines to keep security tight in PSL 2026
“If you want to meet someone, inform us 24 hours in advance,” according to the latest instructions approved by Mohsin Naqvi’s Pakistan Cricket Board. It is further reported that after informing the authorities about the same, the cricketers will be allowed to bring only their family members to their hotel rooms.
Police accused Lahore Qalandars star players of taking guests to their rooms without permission. In this regard, the police issued a letter to the PCB and board chief Mohsin Naqvi, highlighting the seriousness of the matter as it was considered a breach of security lines.
The Board was requested to take serious steps to prevent such incidents in future. Police also said that despite repeated warnings and refusal, the guests remained in the hotel room till 1:25 am
Sikandar Raza told the whole incident
Regarding the incident, Zimbabwe international player Sikandar Raza claimed that he was not properly informed about the rule. Raza further claimed that friends and family were brought to his room by Shaheen on his request.
“Sir, Shaheen did nothing like that. It’s a very simple thing. The people who came to meet me are my family. They are my blood. When you stay away from home for months to play league, and your family comes to support you, you want to see them,” Raza told a reporter, when asked about the entire incident.
“We asked for permission – it was not that we tried to sneak them in. We went through proper channels. We spoke to the liaison officer and the owner [Sameen Rana] Even talked to higher officials. When you are told ‘no’ to your own family coming to your room for a few hours, it is disappointing,” the Zimbabwe international said at a press conference.
Raza stepped forward in support of Afridi
In support of Shaheen Afridi, the veteran cricketer also said that Afridi only went into the room with the guests and no one was forcefully pulled into the room. He further said that being a cricketer, he is well aware of anti-corruption rules and he does not meet strangers but family members.
“Shaheen, as a captain and a brother, stood by me. He didn’t want me to get nervous before a big game. We didn’t ‘force’ anyone; we just walked into the room with our guests. We are professional cricketers, we know the anti-corruption protocols better than anyone. We weren’t meeting strangers; we were meeting family,” Raza clarified.
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