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LAHORE: Lahore Qalandars have imposed a fine on captain Shaheen Shah Afridi after conducting an internal review into a reported breach of security protocols involving team players, the Pakistan Super League (PSL) franchise said on Monday.
The incident, which reportedly took place on March 28 at the team hotel, prompted the franchise to initiate what it described as a comprehensive inquiry to establish the facts and ensure compliance with league regulations.
In a statement, Lahore Qalandars confirmed that an incident had occurred but said its scale and implications had been overstated in public discourse.
“An isolated incident did occur at the team hotel; however, it has been amplified beyond its actual context,” the franchise said, adding that the matter stemmed from a misunderstanding rather than any deliberate violation of established procedures.
As part of what it called a “voluntary and proactive” disciplinary measure, the franchise fined Afridi PKR 1 million for his involvement. It also said a detailed report outlining its findings and observations had been submitted to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).
The Qalandars expressed appreciation for security personnel, acknowledging their role in maintaining a safe environment for players, officials and spectators throughout the tournament.
The franchise reiterated its commitment to strict adherence to standard operating procedures (SOPs) and stressed the need for clearer communication of protocols to prevent similar incidents in the future.
It also voiced concern over the level of public attention the episode had attracted, saying the matter had been unnecessarily escalated and had affected the reputation of both the franchise and the PSL at domestic and international levels.
“Lahore Qalandars remains fully committed to the highest standards of professionalism, discipline and cooperation with governing authorities,” the statement said, while calling for balanced and responsible reporting.
The franchise added that it would not make any further comment on the matter.
