The Pakistan Cricket Board has strongly rejected reports linking a national player to an alleged misconduct incident during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, issuing a sharp statement after a television report publicly identified a cricketer in connection with the case.
The controversy escalated after ARY News journalist Shahid Hashmi named left-arm fast bowler Salman Mirza in coverage referencing an earlier report about a Pakistan World Cup squad member being fined following an alleged incident with a hotel staff member in Sri Lanka.
PCB condemns report naming a player
Following the broadcast, the Pakistan Cricket Board issued a strongly worded response criticising the report and rejecting the claims circulating in media coverage.
“The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has taken serious notice of baseless and fake tickers aired by ARY News regarding a Pakistani left-arm fast bowler. The PCB strongly condemns the broadcast of such unverified and misleading information and views this act as malicious and irresponsible,” the Pakistan Cricket Board said in an official statement.
The board also warned that it may pursue further action over the matter.
“The PCB reserves the right to take appropriate action against those involved in spreading false news,” the Pakistan Cricket Board added in the statement.
The PCB later reiterated its stance through its official account on X, intensifying its criticism of the report.
“Agenda-driven fake news targeting the character of our players is unacceptable and will not be tolerated. The reporter must publicly apologise without delay; failing which, the PCB will take all necessary steps to ensure such malicious content is dealt with firmly and nipped in the bud.” the Pakistan Cricket Board wrote on X.
Agenda driven fake news targeting the character of our players is unacceptable and will not be tolerated. The reporter must publicly apologize without delay; failing which, the PCB will take all necessary steps to ensure such malicious conduct is dealt with firmly and nipped in…
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) March 5, 2026
Salman Mirza denies allegations after being named
After being identified in the television report, Salman Mirza issued a response through an Instagram Story, rejecting the claims and criticising the reporting.
“A absurd News is circulating on media and I strongly condemn this sort of Cheap Journalism. Any Media House can’t air any unverified news.” Salman Mirza wrote in an Instagram Story.
Mirza also said he intends to pursue legal action against the journalist who named him in the report.
“#Pakistan Cricket Board has already denied this Baseless & Fake News and i’m going to take Legal Action against #Shahid Hashmi (Journalist) who works for ARY NEWS this sort of Filthy reporting must be banned and #GovernmentofPakistan must take action against such people!” Salman Mirza wrote on Instagram Story.
Telecom Asia exclusive first reported alleged hotel incident
The controversy traces back to an earlier exclusive report by Telecom Asia Sport which said a member of Pakistan’s World Cup squad had been reported and fined after allegedly misbehaving with a female hotel staff member during the team’s stay in Kandy.
According to the report, the alleged incident took place at the Golden Crown Hotel before Pakistan’s final Super Eight match against Sri Lanka. The report said the player allegedly behaved inappropriately with a female housekeeping staff member at the team hotel.
The staff member reportedly raised an alarm, prompting other hotel employees to intervene and bring the situation under control.
The matter was then escalated to Pakistan team manager Naveed Cheema, who apologised to hotel management on behalf of the player.
Senior officials at the hotel reportedly pushed for firm disciplinary action, but the issue was handled internally after Cheema imposed a fine for misconduct and addressed the matter with the hotel authorities.
Importantly, the Telecom Asia Sport report did not identify the player involved in the incident.
Controversy grows as reports trigger responses
The situation gained wider attention after ARY News named Salman Mirza while referencing the earlier report, prompting both the Pakistan Cricket Board and the player to respond publicly.
With the board rejecting the claims and Mirza denying the allegations, the episode has added another layer of controversy to Pakistan cricket following the team’s campaign at the T20 World Cup.
