Pakistani channel, ARY, aired the news of Salman Mirza being penalized for harassing a woman.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has rubbished reports claiming that Salman Mirza was fined by the board for misbehaving with a woman at a Kandy hotel during their T20 World Cup 2026 campaign.
On Thursday (March 5), a Pakistani channel, ARY, reported the news of the left-arm quick being penalized for harassing a woman.
In response, the PCB said it is exploring legal action against the said sources for airing 'baseless and fake' stories.
"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 PCB stated in an official release.
“The PCB reserves the right to take appropriate action against those involved in spreading false news,” it added.
The Men in Green failed to go past the Super 8 stage in the ongoing T20 World Cup. Days after their exit from the tournament, Telecom Asia Sport also reported that an unnamed Pakistan squad member was fined for allegedly misbehaving with a female hotel staff member during the team’s stay in Kandy, Sri Lanka.
The incident reportedly took place at the Golden Crown Hotel, where Pakistan’s squad was staying during the competition.
“Before Pakistan’s last Super Eight match against Sri Lanka, a Pakistan World Cup squad player misbehaved with a female housekeeping staff,” sources told the publication.
The report further stated that the staff member “shouted and called for help, after which hotel staff came for her rescue and reported the matter to Pakistan team manager Naveed Cheema.”
According to the report, senior officials at the hotel wanted to take strong action against the player. However, Cheema apologised on behalf of the cricketer and slapped a fine for the misconduct, effectively settling the issue internally at the time.
Earlier, ESPNCricinfo reported that the PCB has decided impose a fine of PKR 50 lakh each on Pakistani players for their flop show in the T20 World Cup.
As per the report, the move to penalize the players was made right after Pakistan’s 61-run humiliating defeat against arch-rivals India. Salman Ali Agha and his men were reportedly told the fines may end up being waived off if Pakistan reached the semifinals, but they couldn’t deliver the result.