Qalandars fine Afridi for security breach, stress discipline and accountability

Lahore Qalandars have fined their captain Shaheen Shah Afridi PKR 1 million (approx. USD 3600) for violating security protocols at the team hotel during PSL 2026.

The franchise confirmed the penalty in an official statement, emphasising that the action was taken to “maintain discipline and impose accountability” within the squad. The decision follows an incident flagged by Punjab police, who alleged that Afridi, along with teammate Sikandar Raza, breached established security guidelines.

According to reports, the players had been denied permission by both the PCB’s security officials and PSL management to host visitors in their hotel rooms. Despite this, Afridi and Raza reportedly allowed individuals into Raza’s room. While Raza stated the visit lasted around 40 minutes, the police report claimed the gathering extended to nearly three hours.

The controversy gained traction after a letter from Punjab police to PSL CEO Salman Naseer surfaced on social media, outlining the alleged violations. However, the Qalandars sought to downplay the severity of the incident.

In their statement, the franchise acknowledged that the situation had been “overstated in public discourse” and described it as a misunderstanding rather than a deliberate breach of protocol. They reiterated their commitment to adhering to all security procedures and ensuring such incidents do not recur.

Notably, no disciplinary action has been taken against Raza, who publicly accepted responsibility and attempted to absolve Afridi of blame during a press conference.

The episode highlights the strict enforcement of security measures around PSL teams, especially given the broader safety environment surrounding the tournament. While the fine serves as a warning, Qalandars appear keen to move past the issue quickly and maintain focus on their on-field campaign.