Nasim Shah’s Social Media Account Hacked After Criticism of Maryam Nawaz’s Protocol, Sparks Online Controversy

Lahore: Pakistan fast bowler Nasim Shah became the center of a social media storm after a controversial post appeared on his X (formerly Twitter) account criticizing the protocol given to Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz at the Pakistan Super League (PSL) opening ceremony at Gaddafi Stadium. The post questioned why Maryam Nawaz was being treated “like a queen.”

The tweet was quickly deleted, and Nasim Shah later issued a statement claiming that his account had been hacked and has now been successfully restored. The incident has ignited widespread debate across social media platforms, with reactions ranging from humor to serious skepticism.

Former Federal Minister Fawad Chaudhry commented that “no problem, you said it all,” while user Syed Zeeshan Aziz jokingly appealed to the hacker to return the account.

However, some observers expressed doubts about the hacking claim. Social media user Agha Sheikh Sarwar alleged that Nasim Shah himself had posted the tweet but removed it under intense pressure, including threats of suspension from the team and alleged calls from high-profile figures. He questioned whether a national sports hero can no longer voice reasonable criticism.

Journalist Murtaza Ali Shah called the account restoration the “fastest recovery in X history,” while Pervaiz Sandhela sarcastically referred to it as a “strange coincidence.” Other users noted that the tweet had been live for 13 minutes, arguing that a hacked account could not have been restored so quickly, and called for formal investigation. Some even demanded that politicians involved with cricket be removed from teams.

Journalist Qadir Khawaja reported claims that the tweet might have been posted by Nasim Shah’s manager in England, but authorities could verify its origin via IP addresses.

Nasim Shah currently plays for the PSL franchise Rawalpindi Raiders, which purchased him for PKR 86.5 million, making him one of the league’s high-paid players. The incident has raised concerns over the impact on his career and broader discussions about athletes commenting on political issues.