The price of Tweeting

The decision by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to fine star fast bowler Naseem Shah Rs 2 crores over a deleted tweet makes no sense.

The facts of the case are simple. The PCB posted a video of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz visiting Gadaffi Stadium Lahore on the occasion of the beginning of the HBL PSL. Naseem responded to the tweet by seemingly questioning the VIP protocol surrounding the visit. The tweet was sarcastic, but it contained no foul language, no real insult, and was milquetoast fare as far as criticism goes.

More importantly, perhaps, the tweet was deleted within minutes. Naseem immediately clarified that his account had been hacked and the tweet was not made by him.

Despite the clarification, the PCB called Naseem up over it and swiftly delivered the fine. The board, of course, is relying on clauses in Naseem’s central contract which bind him to a code of conduct.

Was Naseem’s tweet in violation of his contract? One could make a case. But the question arises of why an apology was not enough? He disavowed the words, fired his media manager, and has made another follow up post taking full responsibility for the action. What more was needed?

In the history of a cricket team that has had players caught in spot fixing scandals, intrigue, indiscipline, corruption and all manner of ill dealings, this is the highest ever fine exacted by the PCB on any player. It is over nine words (35 characters without spaces, 43 with) that included no foul language or even outright political message. It was a mild expression of dislike over a very public gesture.

It is fair enough for the PCB to call him out on it. The board is an employer and should care how its employees behave in public. However, an apology was more than enough. The heavyhanded decision betrays a pettiness that is unbecoming of a national institution. This is not the first time free speech and tweets have resulted in heavy crackdowns. In the past the explanation has been that the tweets were against the national interest. Is this is any way against the national interest, or for that matter even against the interests of Pakistan Cricket?

One would do well to remember here that the extreme action indicates the board’s political inclinations more than anything else. How can one forget that PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi also serves as Interior Minister in Maryam Nawaz’s uncle's cabinet. The PCB has perhaps gone too far in its rebuke of Naseem, and a review of this decision is well warranted.