Shaheen Afridi, Sikandar Raza accused of security breach for “forcefully escorting” 4 visitors into hotel room

Fresh controversy hit the Pakistan Super League as Lahore Qalandars all-rounder Sikandar Raza and pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi were accused of breaching hotel security protocols after four “unauthorised” visitors reportedly entered the team’s hotel room. According to a Punjab police letter sent to PSL CEO Salman Naseer, Raza and Afridi allegedly “forcibly escorted” the visitors despite prior refusals from security. Raza, however, has strongly refuted the allegations. He clarified that the four visitors were his long-time friends and family members, and that Afridi was only assisting him at his request. “Shaheen did not force anyone,” Raza told ESPNCricinfo. “My friends and family had come, and at my request, Shaheen helped them [come up to my room]. If these were the SOPs, I wasn’t aware, and to some extent, Shaheen was not aware either. The culprit here is me, not Shaheen. He went down on my request because it was my close family and friends; I did not want to meet them in the business centre. We sat upstairs for 40 minutes.” Raza also stressed the personal context, noting that he has known the visitors for 19 years and rarely sees his family and kids, who were also part of the group. “Please do not forget that my family and relatives live here, and I do not get to see them all year,” he said. He reiterated that Afridi merely followed his instructions and did not act independently. The police letter claimed that approval for the visitors had been sought from both the PCB security manager and Qalandars’ liaison officer, but these requests were denied. The letter suggested the refusals were ignored, and that the visitors stayed in the room for three hours, contradicting Raza’s account of a 40-minute meeting. Sources within the Lahore Qalandars largely confirmed the incident but denied any forced-entry occurred. PCB media head Umar Farooq confirmed that the board is aware of the incident and in communication with the PSL. The police have urged the PSL to review the matter and prevent similar incidents in the future.

Shaheen Shah Afridi (AP Photo/K.M. Chaudary)

Pakistan Cricket Board has doubled down on ensuring the smooth conduct of the Pakistan Super League 2026, but a fresh controversy has emerged involving two senior Lahore Qalandars players. Amid ongoing concerns over a possible two-day lockdown due to a fuel shortage in the country, skipper Shaheen Shah Afridi and all-rounder Sikandar Raza have reportedly breached strict security protocols laid out for the tournament. The duo allegedly allowed four individuals to stay inside Raza’s hotel room for more than two hours, in violation of isolation and safety guidelines. The PSL is currently being conducted under heightened security arrangements, with more than 6,000 police personnel deployed alongside AI-based surveillance systems and drone monitoring. Due to security concerns and regional tensions, the tournament has been limited to two venues — Lahore and Karachi — and is being held behind closed doors without spectators. PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi had earlier stressed the importance of hosting the league despite the situation. “We don’t know how long the current situation will persist, but hosting the PSL is essential. It is an international brand, and foreign players are involved. Everyone is eager for the PSL to go ahead,” he said. Following the reported breach, Lahore’s Deputy Inspector General of Police Faisal Kamran has formally notified the PCB and PSL authorities through an official letter. The matter is now expected to be investigated, with disciplinary action likely. At the very least, a fine could be imposed, while a match ban remains a possibility. Concerns have also been raised that failure to act could set a poor precedent for other players. The letter further claims that the team’s liaison officer had initially sought permission from the PCB to allow the four visitors into the hotel room, but the request was denied. A similar request from franchise owner Sameen Rana was also rejected. Despite this, Raza allegedly went ahead and allowed the visitors, even after security personnel advised against it. Confirming awareness of the situation, Qalandars’ head of media Umar Farooq said, “We are aware of an incident involving two Lahore Qalandars players, and are in communication with the PSL over the matter.” With the tournament already being conducted under strict security measures, the incident has raised fresh questions around discipline and adherence to protocols within team environments.

Marnus Labuschagne (Screen Grab)

The Pakistan Super League (PSL) had a controversial start on their opening day after an incident saw the regular white ball turn pink during the first match of the season due to colour transfer from the Hyderabad Kingsmen’s jerseys. The issue, noted as a first-time occurrence by Marnus Labuschagne which quickly drew attention on social media. The PSL began its 2026 season on March 26, but controversy struck in the opening game itself. The clash between Lahore Qalandars and Hyderabad Kingsmen at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore unexpectedly turned into what fans described as a ‘pink-ball contest.’ The Hyderabad Kingsmen captain alerted the umpires that the ball was changing colour, explaining that dye from his team’s jerseys was rubbing off onto the white ball, gradually turning it pink and later reddish.