Fakhar Zaman handed 2-match suspension as ball-tampering row rocks PSL
Fakhar Zaman has been suspended for two PSL 2026 matches after being found guilty of ball-tampering during Lahore Qalandars' clash against Karachi Kings, with the PCB ruling that he breached the code for altering the condition of the ball.
Fakhar Zaman has been handed a two-match suspension after being found guilty of ball-tampering during Lahore Qalandars’ Pakistan Super League clash against Karachi Kings at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on Sunday.
The Lahore Qalandars batter was found to have breached Article 2.14 of the PCB Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which deals with altering the condition of the ball in violation of Clause 41.3 of the PSL Playing Conditions.
The charge was levelled by on-field umpires Faisal Khan Aafreedi and Sharfuddoula Saikat, along with TV umpire Asif Yaqoob and fourth umpire Tariq Rasheed.
Fakhar denied the offence and chose to contest the charge at a full disciplinary hearing conducted in accordance with the Code of Conduct.
Match referee Roshan Mahanama oversaw the hearing and delivered the verdict after reviewing the evidence and giving Fakhar an opportunity for a personal hearing. Lahore Qalandars captain Shaheen Shah Afridi, team director Sameen Rana, and team manager Farooq Anwar were also present during the proceedings.
Fakhar will miss Lahore Qalandars’ matches against Multan Sultans in Lahore on April 3 and Islamabad United in Karachi on April 9.
WHAT HAPPENED IN THE BALL-TAMPERING SAGA?
The incident took place in the final over of Karachi Kings’ dramatic four-wicket win over Lahore Qalandars, with the match ending with three balls to spare. Chasing 14 off the last six balls, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf and Shaheen Shah Afridi were seen handling the ball during a brief exchange at the bowler’s run-up, prompting umpire Faisal Afridi to call for an inspection.
After consulting fellow umpire Sharfuddoula, the officials ruled that the Qalandars had deliberately altered the condition of the ball. Karachi were subsequently awarded five penalty runs and the ball was replaced, bringing the equation down to nine off six.
Although Khushdil Shah was dismissed off the first ball of the over, Haris Rauf then bowled a wide before Abbas Afridi struck a four and a six to seal a thrilling win for the Kings.
With Fakhar unavailable, Lahore Qalandars could turn to right-handed batter Tayyab Tahir, who is yet to feature this season but has played 14 PSL matches in his career.