Online Reporter
Lahore Qalandars have been accused by Punjab police of a “serious breach of established security protocols” after four unauthorised visitors made their way to the floor of the hotel where the Qalandars team was staying.
In a letter written by a deputy police inspector, and addressed to PSL CEO Salman Naseer, Qalandars captain Shaheen Shah Afridi and team-mate Sikandar Raza were blamed for “disregarding directives” and “forcefully escorting” four visitors on Saturday night to one of the players’ hotel rooms, where they stayed for approximately three hours.
The matter came to light after the letter from the Punjab police was widely circulated on social media, a copy of which ESPNcricinfo has seen. It alleges that Qalandars’ Liaison Officer approached the PCB’s security and anti-corruption manager, seeking permission for four people known to Raza to enter his hotel room.
The request was declined, with the letter alleging Sameen Rana, the Qalandars owner, then sought Naseer’s permission for the same.
That request, too, the letter says, was declined on security grounds. ESPNcricinfo has reached out to the PSL for comment.However, the letter alleges that the refusals were not heeded, and Afridi and Raza “forcibly escorted” the four visitors “despite resistance from on-duty security personnel”. It deemed the incident a clear violation of protocols “designed to ensure the safety and integrity” of players and officials.
ESPNcricinfo reached out to Qalandars for official comment. “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.
The letter from the police concludes by requesting a review of the incident, and demanding “necessary action to prevent future violations”.
Any interactions of players and officials with the outside world has been largely limited, especially since it was announced the PSL would take place in empty stadiums. Though energy savings were cited for that measure owing to the West Asia crisis, the PSL has always taken security exceptionally seriously since the tournament moved back to Pakistan, with cordons and checkpoints set up outside the hotels were players and officials stay.
On Sunday evening, Qalandars were playing their second game of the season, against Karachi Kings, having comfortably won the tournament opener against Hyderabad Kingsmen. – espncricinfo.com
