 "PSL has suffered another blow as Lahore Qalandars are under investigation for security breach. AFP")
Pakistan Super League (PSL) has been hit with another controversy as Lahore Qalandars captain Shaheen Shah Afridi and all-rounder Sikandar Raza have been accused of bringing four unauthorised visitors to the floor of the hotel where the team was staying. The duo has been accused by Punjab police of a “serious breach of established security protocols”.
According to ESPNCricinfo, the police have written a letter to PSL CEO Salman Naseer informing him of the security breach. Afridi and Raza have been blamed for “disregarding directives” and “forcefully escorting” four visitors. The incident is said to have happened on Saturday night and the visitors are alleged to have stayed at one of the players’ hotel rooms for approximately three hours.
Qalandars ‘aware’ of security breach
The report quotes a letter from the police which alleged that the Qalandars had requested permission for four people known to Raza to enter his hotel room. However, the request was declined on security grounds by the PSL.
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Raza and Shaheen did not pay heed to PSL’s directives and are said to have “forcibly escorted” the four visitors “despite resistance from on-duty security personnel”. The incident has been deemed to be a clear violation of security protocols.
The police have reportedly demanded PSL to take “necessary action to prevent future violations”.
The franchise said that they are communicating with the PSL over the matter. “We are aware of an incident involving two Lahore Qalandars players, and are in communication with the PSL over the matter,” Umar Farooq, Qalandars’ head of media, told ESPNCricinfo.
PSL is currently being played inside closed doors with no spectators allowed in the stadium.
Playing a day after the incident, the Qalandars lost to Karachi Kings to taste defeat for the first time this season. Led by Afridi, the Lahore-based side had defeated debutants Hyderabad Houston Kingsmen in the first game of the season. Afridi had a brilliant match against Karachi where he took four wickets. Raza, on the other hand, could not make much impact with bat or ball.