PCB tightens PSL security protocols after hotel breach; issues mandatory 24-hour notice rule

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has tightened PSL’s security protocols after the hotel room episode involving Zimbabwe T20I captain Sikandar Raza and Pakistan ODI skipper Shaheen Shah Afridi, both representing Lahore Qalandars in PSL 2026. The Cricket Board has issued mandatory guidelines to all teams and stakeholders, stating that players and team officials must attain prior approval from the board before meeting their family members and friends in their hotel rooms.

“The Board has made it clear that anyone wanting to meet with family members in the hotel has to seek permission 24 hours before the intended visit by family members,” a source close to the information revealed.

The source also added that the PCB would try to arrange a suitable meeting point for the player with his family member(s) in the team hotel.

“The Board has also made it clear that only a player’s wife, parents, brother and sister are allowed inside the player's room, that too after getting clearance from the Board 24 hours in advance,” the source added.

Meanwhile, PCB took these steps following hotel room protocols violation after Raza and Shaheen were held responsible for ‘forcefully escorting’ guests into Raza’s hotel room, which he claimed to be his family and some friends. While Raza admitted to allowing guests to his private hotel room despite PCB, its anti-corruption unit and PSL’s chief executive, Salman Naseer, all denying permissions, leading to a violation of security protocol, Shaheen suffered a hefty fine for assisting Raza’s family members to his teammate’s room.

Raza, however, urged the relevant authorities to spare Shaheen, as he is innocent.

Moreover, the source also claimed that the police officials had taken a serious note of the security protocol breach by Qalandars’ star players, urging the board to impose it across franchises to ensure they adhere to it, and that the police can provide a safe and secure environment for all players and officials.

“The police officials conveyed to the Board that unless all franchises adhere strictly to the security protocols, it will be impossible for them to provide a safe and secure environment at the team hotel for all players and officials,” the source continued.