PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi is becoming increasingly concerned amid the ongoing tension in the Pakistan Super League, with hotel security issues and ball tampering incidents heading towards a major fiasco.
The Pakistan Super League has entered its 11th edition of the competition, and has now raised the bar with the addition of two more teams. This PSL season is also not as normal as the previous seasons played under PCB.
The PCB restricted the Pakistan Super League matches to only two venues across the country, i.e. Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore and Karachi National Stadium. Matches are also held in Lahore without spectators, despite which many controversies have arisen continuously.
PCB Chief Mohsin Naqvi is angry with the ongoing tension in PSL
The Mohsin Naqvi-led PCB had taken some stringent measures on holding the PSL in 2026 after the fuel crisis and travel issues escalated in Pakistan and linked it to the West Asian crisis. The PCB had taken measures to manage the mega event.
The PSL began with limited venues and restricted crowds; Therefore, fans were asked to watch the game from home. The two biggest challenges that have emerged for the board in recent times include allegations of ball-tampering and hotel security violations.
PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi is reportedly concerned about a number of issues surrounding the PSL, with reports suggesting that the PCB chief is particularly upset by these two incidents.
News agency PTI quoted a PCB source as saying, “(PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi is not particularly happy with the hotel incident as the PCB is taking great precautions to ensure that the event is held without any incidents and has not even allowed spectators for league matches at the Gaddafi Stadium at the moment).
What happened that led to the issue of hotel-security misconduct?
All the issues that have emerged in recent times have surrounded the team of Lahore Qalandars, who are the defending champions of the competition. Earlier, the infamous hotel security breach case had come to light in which two players of Lahore Qalandars were involved.
Pakistan and Lahore Qalandars captain Shaheen Afridi and Zimbabwe all-rounder Sikandar Raza were accused of allowing guests in their team’s hotel rooms in Lahore, which was against hotel rules. Reportedly, he allowed them despite objections from security and staff.
The incident raised a big question on discipline and order in a tournament where security was the main focus. After this the PCB said that this concern extends beyond one match.
“The board is unhappy with the PSL taking off for all the wrong reasons, starting with the incident of the ball turning pink during the first match of the league,” the source was quoted as saying by news agency PTI.
Fakhar Zaman denies ball tampering allegations in front of PSL committee
Another major incident that took place during the ongoing edition of PSL involved the pressure on the board after the ball tampering controversy escalated during the match between Lahore Qalandars and Karachi Kings.
Just before the last over of the match, Karachi Kings needed 14 runs and asked the umpire to check the ball. He was then found guilty of altering the size and configuration of the balls. Eventually, the target was reduced to 9 runs and Karachi won the match after a 5-run penalty.
The matter later escalated and Lahore batsman Fakhar Zaman was charged with a Level 3 offense under the PSL Code of Conduct for changing the configuration of the ball. In a hearing with match referee Roshan Mahanama, Fakhar denied the allegation. Even Shaheen Afridi claimed that the team management will review the incident and has distanced himself from the controversy.
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