LAHORE: Zimbabwe all-rounder Sikandar Raza has said that neither he nor Lahore Qalandars captain Shaheen Shah Afridi were aware of the updated Pakistan Super League (PSL) security protocol prohibiting players from hosting close relatives or friends in their hotel rooms.

Raza made the remarks at a post-match press conference on Sunday following Lahore Qalandars’ four-wicket defeat to Karachi Kings in PSL 11 at Gaddafi Stadium.

According to a letter sent by Punjab police to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), four visitors — described as close relatives or friends of Raza — were allegedly escorted to his room No. 865 on the eighth floor of the team hotel on Saturday night, despite repeated refusals by the PCB’s security and anti-corruption unit.

The Lahore Qalandars liaison officer and team owner Sameen Rana reportedly made requests to allow the meeting, which were turned down.

However, the visitors were taken to the room at around 11:05pm and remained there until 1:25am, prompting the Lahore police to lodge a formal complaint with the PCB, terming it a serious breach of established security protocols.

Raza, who was born in Pakistan, clarified that he had always followed previous PSL standard operating procedures (SOPs), which allowed family and friends to meet players inside the hotel, though players were barred from leaving the premises.

“By birth I am a Pakistani, so some family members or friends have to meet me and it has happened in the last five editions of the PSL,” he said. “In the past the protocols were that we cannot go out of the hotel to meet anyone but someone can meet us in the hotel, and that I had fully respected.”

He added that he personally knew the visitors and had requested Shaheen to bring them to his room because he could not meet them in the business centre.

“Shaheen did not do any forceful act. I requested him to please bring them… so I am the culprit for that,” Raza said, emphasising that their IDs were handed over to security and they had brought bats for him to select from.

The 39-year-old insisted that Lahore Qalandars were in touch with the PCB over the matter and maintained that neither he nor the captain was aware of the new restriction.

“We will follow all SOPs of the PSL but neither I nor Shaheen was aware of the new SOPs,” he said. Raza also mentioned that the visitors had come with bats for him to choose from, and he was fielding at long-on where dew was an issue.

Shaheen fined

In a statement issued on Wednesday, Lahore Qalandars said it had taken strong notice of the reported incident and initiated a comprehensive internal review to establish the facts and ensure alignment with PSL regulations.

The franchise confirmed that an isolated incident had occurred at the team hotel but said it had been overstated in public discourse and amplified beyond its actual context.

As a voluntary disciplinary measure, the franchise imposed a fine of Rs1 million on captain Shaheen for his involvement and submitted a detailed response along with its observations to the PCB.

The franchise said the matter arose from a misunderstanding rather than a deliberate attempt to violate procedures, reiterating its respect for all security protocols and commitment to strict adherence to SOPs. It also stressed the need for clearer communication of updated protocols to prevent similar incidents in future.

Expressing regret over the publicity surrounding the episode, Lahore Qalandars said the issue had unnecessarily affected the reputation of both the franchise and the PSL at domestic and international levels.

As of Monday, the PCB had not issued any official decision or statement regarding possible disciplinary action against the players or the franchise.

The incident has once again highlighted the strict security measures in place for PSL 11, which is being played amid various challenges, including a fuel crisis that has forced several matches behind closed doors.

Published in Dawn, March 31st, 2026

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AUCKLAND: New Zealand thrashed 10-man Chile 4-1 on Monday in Auckland in their last home match before the World Cup, their first win ever against South American opposition.

Fellow World Cup qualifiers Cape Verde earlier won a penalty shootout against Finland at Auckland’s Eden Park, having drawn their match 1-1.

Chile beat Cape Verde 4-2 on Friday but started poorly against the hosts with Dario Osorio sent off in the 27th minute after two yellow cards in quick succession.

The All Whites capitalised straight away, Kosta Barbarouses lashing home a volley from a 31st-minute corner, before Elijah Just added a second in the 40th minute.

It was 3-0 in the 60th minute when Jesse Randall scored from close range, and a fourth was fired home by substitute Ben Waine in the 71st minute. Gonzalo Tapia scored a consolation for Chile in the 83rd minute after a swift counterattack.

New Zealand will face Belgium, Iran and Egypt in the group phase this summer in North America.

Cape Verde came from a goal down to draw 1-1 with Finland, before winning the penalty shootout.

Finland were coming off a 2-0 win over New Zealand and went into half-time with the lead, Naatan Skytta scoring with the last kick of the half.

Cape Verde struck back in the 67th minute from a corner, Sidny Cabral finding Kelvin Pires at the far post to head home.

Marcio Rosa made two saves in the penalty shootout to secure Cape Verde the victory.

Cape Verde play Spain, Saudi Arabia and Uruguay in their World Cup bow.

On Sunday, Desire Doue scored twice as France showcased their attacking firepower and strength in depth with a 3-1 friendly win over Colombia, in their final outing before coach Didier Deschamps names his World Cup squad.

Fielding an entirely different lineup from the first-choice side who beat Brazil 2-1 on Thursday, Les Bleus still proved too strong for Colombia, with Doue’s double and another goal from Marcus Thuram sealing a comfortable victory.

Jaminton Campaz pulled one back for Colombia, who were quickly overwhelmed despite a decent start.

Sometimes criticised for favouring cold calculation over flair, France over the course of two warm-up matches combined style with efficiency and head towards the June 11-July 19 World Cup with growing certainty ahead of Deschamps final tournament in charge.

“What we’ve produced over these two games is really interesting. We can’t wait to be in June,” said Rayan Cherki, who looked comfortable in France’s 4-2-3-1 formation.

Deschamps was equally positive in his assessment.

“A very positive sporting assessment against two very strong South American teams,” he said. “We gave a lot of players opportunities… the quality is there.”

After a lively opening spell, France took the lead through Doue, who fired a low strike into the bottom corner in the 29th minute to score his first international goal.

Five minutes before the break, Thuram dou­bled the advantage, powering a header in off the underside of the bar after meeting a superbly curled cross from Maghnes Akliouche.

Any doubt was effectively removed before the hour mark. Breaking quickly from the midfield, Akliouche began the move before Cherki released Thuram on the right, and the forward squared unselfishly for Doue to apply a clinical finish.

Just as Kylian Mbappe was about to come on as a late substitute, Campaz reduced the arrears with a precise angled shot.

Mbappe, as well as fellow substitute Hugo Ekitike, went close to adding a fourth in a frantic finish.

France will fine-tune their World Cup preparations against Ivory Coast in Nantes on June 4 and against another, as-yet-undetermined, opponent on June 8.

Published in Dawn, March 31st, 2026

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LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Monday slapped a Rs20 million fine on fast bowler Naseem Shah for breaching several clauses of his central contract.

Last week, the cricketer was issued a show-cause notice for “violating the terms of [his] central contract as well as the media policy and regulations”, requiring him to respond within the stipulated time.

The notice was ostensibly issued in response to a social media post in which Naseem had expressed a critical opinion about Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, who was the chief guest during the opening match of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) played at the Gaddafi Stadium.

According to ESPNcricinfo, Naseem had Naseem’s account responded to a post from the PCB media account, saying, “Why is she treated like the Queen at Lord’s?”

It should be mentioned that PSL matches are being played behind closed doors in line with the government’s austerity drive amid the oil crisis triggered by the US-Israel war on Iran.

Minutes later, the post was taken down and replaced with another post saying Naseem’s account had been hacked and had been recovered by him, the report said.

According to a press release issued by the PCB on Monday, a personal hearing was held by a three-member disciplinary committee after Naseem’s reply to the show-cause notice was “received and reviewed”.

It said that after hearing and evaluation of Naseem’s submissions, the committee determined that while the cricketer had tendered an unconditional apology, he had breached “various clauses of his central contract” and was subsequently fined Rs20m.

“It was noted that Naseem’s social media adviser has already been terminated by Naseem and shall be blacklisted by the PCB from associating with any player falling under the PCB’s jurisdiction,” the press release added.

“The PCB remains committed to upholding professional standards, contractual obligations and the integrity of the game,” it reaffirmed.

Later, in a post on X, Naseem said, “A recent post from my account was made by my management team and does not reflect my views.”

He said he took “full responsibility for my platform” and had implemented the “necessary changes to ensure this does not happen again”.

“I sincerely apologise to everyone affected by this misuse of my platform,” he said.

According to ESPNcricinfo, clause 2.23 of the PCB’s code of conduct states that any “public criticism of, or inappropriate comment in relation to the board, any of its officials or sponsors or policies, the International Cricket Council or any of its officers or sponsors, player, player support personnel or match officials including umpires and match referees, irrespective of when such criticism or inappropriate comment is made” is not permitted.

Meanwhile, the National Dialogue Committee (NDC) — formed by former PTI leaders — had condemned the PCB for issuing the show-cause notice to Naseem.

“While we recognise the right of any organisation to uphold its codes of conduct, we assert that the PCB’s action in this instance represents a dangerous overreach that undermines a fundamental pillar of democracy: the right to peaceful, critical expression,” the committee said on Saturday.

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