Former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali has claimed that pacer Naseem Shah escaped a two-year ban even though he was slapped with the biggest fine (PKR 20 million) in the country’s cricket history. Ali said that Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi stepped in and urged that a monetary fine is enough and a two-year ban will ruin his career. He had breached various clauses in his central contract which relate the board's social media guidelines for players.
Naseem had taken a sarcastic dig at Pakistan's Punjab province chief minister, Maryam Nawaz, who was present at PSL's lowkey opening ceremony by posting on X: "Why is she treated like the Queen at Lord's?"
While the post was deleted and the pacer claimed that his account was hacked, the PCB took it as a serious violation of the central contract. Ali considers Naseem very lucky that Naqvi saved his career.
“Naseem Shah is very lucky. Let me tell you the inside news. He was to be banned for two years; the committee had recommended it. The credit goes to Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, as he had no. He told them not to ban Naseem Shah for two years and just hand him a monetary penalty,” the 55-year-old said on Ary News.
“Naqvi said that it was about his future. Naseem could give the money because he plays in the PSL and other leagues. Naqvi told the committee that one shouldn't play with someone's career. It is a good decision by Mohsin Naqvi,” he added.
Basit Ali’s request to Pakistan players
In addition, Ali has urged Pakistan players to not trust their managers blindly and read the central contract themselves to understand all the clauses.
“When the players sign the central contract, all these things are written there. All the clauses are there. Why do our players not read these things at that time? Why do you send your managers?” said Basit.
“If the players themselves read, they would be more informed about it. However, it is a good call by the PCB chief. Two years is way too much,” he further added.
Naseem’s first appearance since hefty fine
In his first game of PSL, Naseem conceded 51 runs and was wicketless in his quota of four overs. Mohammad Rizwan-led Rawalpindiz lost their opening game by five wickets. Naseem will be seen in action next against Karachi Kings at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore on April 2.