The Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2026 has barely kicked off, but it’s already generating more heat off the field than on it. Pakistan’s star pacer Naseem Shah found himself at the center of a massive social media storm after a controversial post regarding Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif went viral.
The post, which was deleted within minutes, has left fans questioning whether it was a genuine slip-up or, as Shah claims, a high-profile security breach.
The incident occurred during the PSL 2026 season opener at Gaddafi Stadium between defending champions Lahore Qalandars and Hyderabad Kingsmen. As Maryam Nawaz was being introduced to players and officials in a grand ceremony, a post appeared on Naseem Shah’s official X (formerly Twitter) account.
Sharing a clip of the CM being greeted by PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, the post read: “Why is she being treated like the queen at Lords?”
The comparison to the royal treatment at the historic London ground immediately drew sharp reactions. However, before the dust could settle, the tweet vanished. Shah soon followed up with a clarification, stating, "This account of Naseem was recently hacked but now recovered successfully."
The "Queen" controversy comes at a time when the PSL is already battling a somber atmosphere. Due to the ongoing West Asia crisis and a severe fuel shortage in Pakistan, the PCB has taken the unprecedented step of holding the entire tournament behind closed doors.
Matches have been restricted to just Lahore and Karachi to minimize travel. To conserve resources and fuel, the government has implemented work-from-home orders and closed schools, making it impossible to host 30,000 fans daily. The Opening Ceremony and launch were also scrapped as an "austerity measure" by the board.
While the "hacking" claim has provided him some cover, all eyes will be on Shah as he returns to action. The right-arm speedster is set to represent Rawalpindi Pindiz in their opening clash against Peshawar Zalmi this Saturday, March 28. Fans are eager to see if the pacer can let his bowling do the talking after this digital distraction.
