Younis Khan Slams PCB's Decision To Impose Hefty Fine On Naseem Shah Over Political Remarks

Former Pakistan captain Younis Khan is unhappy with the massive fine imposed on fast bowler Naseem Shah by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for his reported comments against a political leader on social media, saying that such actions is not in the best of the players and the game.

Shah was reprimanded and fined by the disciplinary committee of the PCB after a tweet on his social media account, where he made some sarcastic remarks about the Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, who had visited the Gaddafi stadium in Lahore on March 27 during the opening match of the Pakistan Super League.

The board's committee reached its verdict in just three days imposing the heavy fine of 20 million rupees on Shah for breaching the players code of conduct.

Younis said that the fine was excessive and could have been avoided.

“Once Naseem Shah had apologised for the tweet and also made it clear his social media manager was behind it and he had fired him, now the board could have let Naseem off with a warning and much lesser fine," Younis said.

He said such actions only contribute in demoralising players. "The board should be taking care of its players." Younis said that if things are taken so seriously then even selectors and officials of the board should be fined when they make misleading statements or fail in their duties.

He urged the PCB to reconsider its decision as Shah had shown his remorse for the incident.

The PCB after Shah's tweet has issued fresh guidelines for all its centrally contracted and domestic contracted players that they or their social media managers have to first get clearance from the board before posting anything on social media and that no posts of political nature would be tolerated.

The board has made it clear any political posts can lead to a 10 million rupees fine.