Pakistani left-arm pacer Salman Mirza has sent a legal notice to the tune of a whopping Rs100 million to ARY News and its reporter Shahid Hashmi over a report that alleged misconduct on his part during the 2026 T20 World Cup.

According to a copy of the notice, the report – described by his legal team as false, malicious and highly defamatory – caused serious damage to Mirza’s personal and professional reputation as it claimed that Mirza misbehaved with a female staff member at the team hotel in Kandy, and “prompted the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to impose a fine” on the cricketer.

Mirza’s legal representatives rejected the claims and demanded immediate corrective action from the channel and the reporter. The notice directed the media outlet to immediately retract the report from all platforms, including its website and social media accounts. 

It also demanded that Shahid Hashmi withdraw the statement and the story attributed to him.

In addition, the notice called on the channel to publish a clear and unconditional public apology addressed to Salman Mirza, the PCB and the public. The apology must appear in a manner comparable to the original publication of the report, it said.

Mirza also demanded financial compensation and called for payment of Rs100 million as damages for the harm caused to his reputation and goodwill. 

Failure to comply with these demands within seven days will lead to legal proceedings, the notice said.

Earlier, the PCB also strongly rejected the claims and described the reports as false and agenda-driven.

The board warned that it would pursue legal action if the journalist involved failed to issue a public apology.

It merits a mention that the story had first appeared in Indian press before being carried by ARY News. After the PCB issued its statement, the report was removed from the outlet’s website and social media platforms.

ARY News has not yet issued a public response to the legal notice.