By Irum Saleem
As of now, there is no official explanation from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) or Chairman Mohsin Naqvi regarding why Chief Minister Punjab, Maryam Nawaz Sharif, was not invited to the PSL final in Lahore.
Is Naqvi harbouring any grudge against Maryam Nawaz, questions being asked.
Mohsin Naqvi was serving both as the PCB Chairman and the Caretaker CM of Punjab around the time of PSL 9 preparations and matches. He was appointed PCB Chairman after stepping down as caretaker CM.
This dual role may have blurred traditional lines of coordination, and a new dynamic with the elected Punjab government might still be evolving.
While PCB is an autonomous body, political undertones can influence decisions subtly. If there’s political friction—even at a bureaucratic level—between federal or board authorities and the provincial government, it could result in omissions.
High-level political attendance requires tight security and coordination, especially at crowded venues. The final may have been logistically challenging for such arrangements.
The absence of Maryam Nawaz was noticed and raised eyebrows, especially considering the PMLN proactive stance on youth, health, and social programs in Punjab.
Since Maryam Nawaz became Chief Minister of Punjab, PCB under Mohsin Naqvi has not visibly coordinated with the Punjab government on major cricket events, particularly the PSL final in Lahore, where no provincial leadership was invited or acknowledged.
This was surprising given that the event was held in Lahore, under the Punjab government’s administrative jurisdiction.
CM Maryam Nawaz has a strong public focus on youth, sports, and development—making her a natural guest of honor.
Mohsin Naqvi’s decision not to include Maryam Nawaz in such a high-profile event is seen by some as a deliberate snub.
In political optics, who is invited—and who isn’t—matters, especially in the PML-N’s stronghold, Punjab.
Despite CM Maryam’s active public role, Naqvi has not made any public statements recognizing or coordinating with her administration on sports development. This stands out, especially when previous PCB heads would often engage with provincial leadership for cricket promotion and development projects. PAK DESTINY
