In a shocking turn of events, Lahore Qalandars’ star opener Fakhar Zaman has been suspended for two PSL matches after being found guilty of ball-tampering during Sunday’s dramatic clash against Karachi Kings.
The suspension casts a shadow over the player’s reputation and leaves the team grappling with the fallout of a controversy that unfolded in the dying moments of a crucial match.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) confirmed on Tuesday that Fakhar committed a Level 3 offence under Article 2.14 of the PSL Code of Conduct which prohibits altering the condition of the ball. The incident occurred on March 29 at Gaddafi Stadium, during the final overs of Karachi Kings’ innings.
The controversy erupted after Fakhar Zaman, captain Shaheen Shah Afridi, and fast bowler Haris Rauf were seen exchanging the ball in a brief on-field discussion. The umpires, upon inspection, penalised Lahore Qalandars five runs and ordered the ball to be replaced.
This penalty proved crucial as Abbas Afridi struck a boundary and a six to guide Karachi Kings to a four-wicket victory with three balls remaining.
Fakhar strongly denied the allegations and contested the charge at a formal disciplinary hearing. Match referee Roshan Mahanama, after reviewing the evidence and hearing all parties, upheld the suspension.
Team representatives including Shaheen Shah Afridi, team director Sameen Rana, and team manager Farooq Anwar, were present during the proceedings.
According to PSL regulations ball-tampering offences include applying foreign substances, scratching the ball, interfering with the seam, or deliberately damaging its surface. A Level 3 offence carries a suspension of one to two matches with an option to appeal within 48 hours of the referee’s written decision.
Reacting to the ruling, Shaheen Shah Afridi stated that the team would review the incident internally, refraining from immediate comments. “We don’t know all the details yet, but we’ll discuss the matter,” he said.
As a result of the suspension, Fakhar Zaman will miss Lahore Qalandars’ upcoming matches against Multan Sultans on April 3 and Islamabad United on April 9, leaving a significant void in the team’s batting line-up.
