NEW DELHI: Naseem Shah was reportedly facing a two-year ban, but a last-minute decision to impose only a fine saved his career, according to former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali. The Pakistan Cricket Board on Monday imposed a PKR 20 million (USD 72,000) fine on the 23-year-old for a controversial social media post criticizing Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz’s presence at the PSL opening game during an ongoing Middle East conflict. Maryam is the daughter of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif and niece of incumbent PM Shehbaz Sharif.“Why is she being treated like the Queen at Lords?” Naseem had posted in reference to Maryam, before deleting the post.Basit said it was due to PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi that Naseem’s career was saved. He claimed Naqvi advised against imposing a ban on the pacer, who has played 20 Tests, 34 ODIs and 37 T20Is so far.“Naseem Shah is very lucky. The latest news, I told you – he was banned for 2 years. You are talking about the committee, he said this. Its credit goes to Mohsin Naqvi. He said no, don’t impose restrictions, you will do fine – it is his future. Money can be made there, but one should not play with one’s career. He did not stop. [Naseem Shah is very lucky. Let me tell you the inside story — he was facing a two-year ban. The committee you are referring to had already indicated that. The credit goes to Mohsin Naqvi. He refused and said no, don’t impose a ban — just fine him. He has a future. He can pay money, but you shouldn’t play with someone’s career]Basit said.“When he signs the central contract, all the clauses are written on it. Why don’t he read it at that time? And why do he send it to his manager at that time? It is a mistake – whether you have said it to the manager or Naseem Shah. Otherwise he would have been banned for 2 years. 2 years have been very hot [When players sign a central contract, all these clauses are clearly mentioned. Why don’t they read them at that time? And why do they send their manager instead? A mistake has been made — whether you say it was by the manager or by Naseem Shah. Otherwise, there would have been a two-year ban. And two years is a long time],” the former cricketer added.Naseem was issued a show-cause notice on March 27, immediately after Maryam visited the Gaddafi Stadium as chief guest for the PSL opener.The post was quickly deleted, and it was claimed that the account had been hacked, but the PCB did not accept the explanation.The board stated that Naseem had issued an unconditional apology for his conduct.“Naseem’s reply was reviewed by the committee, and after evaluating everything, it has been determined that Naseem is found to have breached various clauses of his central contract, and a fine of PKR 2 crore has been imposed,” the PCB said.Naseem’s social media advisor has already been terminated and blacklisted by the PCB.