Lahore Qalandars have fined their captain, Shaheen Shah Afridi, a sum of PKR 1 million for breaching security protocols in the Pakistan Super League (PSL). The decision came after Punjab police accused Afridi of violating the established security rules at the team hotel.
The incident involved unauthorized individuals gaining access to a players’ hotel room, despite clear refusals from PSL and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) security officials. Lahore Qalandars stated that the fine was imposed to enforce discipline and accountability within the team.
“While clarifying that the issue stemmed from a misunderstanding rather than a deliberate breach of procedures, Lahore Qalandars reiterated its utmost respect for all security protocols,” the team stated.
The organization reaffirmed its dedication to strictly following standard operating procedures (SOPs) and stressed the importance of clear communication of protocols to prevent similar incidents in the future.
The incident occurred on a Saturday night when four visitors, reportedly known to Sikandar Raza, spent nearly three hours in a player’s room, despite repeated denials for permission from both the PCB’s security manager and PSL CEO Salman Naseer.
The controversy began when the Qalandars’ liaison officer sought approval for Raza’s acquaintances to visit the hotel room, which was denied due to security concerns. Despite refusals, Afridi and Raza allegedly allowed the visitors into the players’ room, disregarding objections from security personnel on duty. Punjab police labeled this as a breach of protocols designed to safeguard players and officials.
According to a letter from Punjab police shared on social media, although Raza claimed the visitors stayed for about 40 minutes, the police reported they were present for around three hours. The letter accused Afridi and Raza of disregarding instructions from PCB security and PSL management.
Lahore Qalandars acknowledged the incident, mentioning it was exaggerated in public discussions and unnecessarily escalated. They reiterated their commitment to upholding security protocols and pledged to enhance communication to prevent similar issues in the future.
During a press conference, Sikandar Raza admitted responsibility for the breach and attempted to absolve Afridi of blame. The Qalandars have not taken any disciplinary action against Raza.
The team emphasized that the incident arose from a misunderstanding rather than a deliberate violation, reaffirming their dedication to adhering strictly to standard operating procedures and calling for improved clarity in protocol enforcement.