An inquiry has been sought after an alleged breach of security protocols involving Lahore Qalandars players Sikandar Raza and Shaheen Shah Afridi during the ongoing Pakistan Super League Season 11 in Lahore.

 

Lahore Deputy Inspector-General of Police (Operations) Muhammad Faisal raised the issue with the PSL chief executive officer and called for action to prevent such incidents in the future.

 

In a letter, the DIG referred to a report from the superintendent of police (operations), Civil Lines Division, stating that the incident took place on March 28, 2026, at the team hotel where all PSL sides stay under strict security arrangements.

 

According to the report, the Lahore Qalandars liaison officer approached PCB Security and Anti-Corruption Manager Lt Col (retd) Akhtar Hussain at around 10:35pm and requested permission for Raza's four relatives to visit his room. Officials rejected the request under existing security protocols.

 

 

The letter stated that Lahore Qalandars owner Sameen Rana later put forward the same request, which officials also declined on security grounds.

 

Despite the refusal, at around 11:05pm, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Sikandar Raza escorted the four visitors to Raza’s room, overriding  security staff. The visitors stayed there until approximately 1:25am.

 

The DIG described the incident as a clear violation of PCB security protocols and the code of conduct, which aim to ensure the safety of players and officials. He urged the PSL management to review the matter at the appropriate forum and take necessary action.

 

Meanwhile, Sikandar Raza has clarified his position and accepted responsibility during a post match press conference on Sunday.

 

“Shaheen Shah Afridi did not act on his own. He went on my request—I was the one who asked him because my family had arrived. Nothing like this happened in the past four years. If any change has occurred [in SOPs], I am not aware of it. The one responsible for this entire matter is sitting right in front of you: Sikandar Raza,” he said.

 

Raza added, “One thing should be remembered that by birth I am a Pakistani and (a) few family members will come to meet me.”

 

He further explained the situation, saying, “The (previous) protocols were that I couldn’t go out of the hotel, but I could meet my family members, close cousins and friends in the hotel.”

 

“The four friends, who came yesterday, I have known them personally for a long time, so it was nice to see them. I wasn’t aware of this (the security protocols),” he said.

 

Raza also said he took the visitors to his room to select cricket bats they had brought with them.