Fakhar Zaman guilty of ball tampering. Will Lahore Qalandars be banned from PSL?

Lahore Qalandars batter Fakhar Zaman has been charged with ball tampering during Sunday’s Pakistan Super League (PSL) match against Karachi Kings, putting the focus not just on the player but also on the possibility of further action against the franchise.

The incident came in the final over, with Karachi needing 14 runs to win. Fakhar was seen in conversation with captain Shaheen Afridi and fast bowler Haris Rauf, during which the ball was passed between Fakhar and Rauf.

The umpires intervened soon after. Rauf was called over and asked to hand the ball for inspection. Following a discussion between the on-field officials, five penalty runs were awarded to Karachi and the ball was changed.

The decision had a direct impact on the result. Karachi chased down the 129-run target with three balls to spare, with Abbas Afridi hitting a boundary and a six to close out a four-wicket win.

FAKHAR DENIES ALLEGATION

Fakhar denied the charge during a disciplinary hearing conducted by match referee Roshan Mahanama, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said in a statement.

“Another hearing is set to take place within the next 48 hours after which the match referee will share his verdict,” the PCB added.

While the charge is against Fakhar, the involvement of Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf in the sequence has also drawn attention. Both players were part of the exchange before the umpires stepped in, although there has been no confirmation of any action against them so far.

Afridi, speaking at the post-match presentation, said the team would review the incident.

“I don’t know about this, and we’ll see if it’s there in the camera and discuss it,” he said.

PSL: WILL FAKHAR BE BANNED?

Under PSL regulations, a first offence of ball tampering can lead to a suspension of one or two matches. The broader question, however, is whether the incident leads to any further scrutiny of the Lahore Qalandars as a unit.

Team-level sanctions remain uncommon, but the final decision will depend on the findings of the hearing.

The case also brings to mind the 2018 ball-tampering incident during Australia’s tour of South Africa, where Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft were handed lengthy bans.

For now, the process is still ongoing. The verdict, when it comes, will decide whether this remains an individual offence or something that extends beyond it.

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