![Fakhar Zaman and Mohammed Shami [Source: AFP]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1774978094259_FakharZamanandMohammedShami.jpg?type=hq)
Fakhar Zaman and Mohammed Shami [Source: AFP]
The PCB has banned Lahore Qalandars opener and Pakistan batter Fakhar Zaman for tampering the ball in PSL 2026. Mohammed Shami has fired back at the Indian selectors for his repeated exclusion. In other news, New Zealand has announced the entire squad for the upcoming series in Bangladesh.
Capping an eventful day in the world of cricket, here we take a look at five of the biggest cricketing news that emerged out of Tuesday, March 31.
Fakhar Zaman banned from PSL 2026
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has banned Lahore Qalandars opener Fakhar Zaman for two matches in the ongoing PSL 2026 season. The cricketer received the punishment from match referee Roshan Mahanama for his involvement in the ball-tampering scandal during Qalandars’ match against Karachi Kings this past weekend. Mahanama conducted a disciplinary hearing and expressed his verdict after gathering all the evidences.
It is worth noting that the condition of the ball was allegedly altered by Qalandars fielders, mere moments prior to the final over of their low-scoring thriller against Karachi Kings in Lahore.
New Zealand name squad for Bangladesh series
New Zealand Cricket (NZC) has announced New Zealand’s 15-player squads for the upcoming three-match ODI and three-match T20I series against hosts Bangladesh. Fast bowlers Matt Fisher, Will O’Rourke and Blair Tickner all earned a recall back into the New Zealand national side after injury layoffs. While O’Rourke was selected in the ODI side, Fisher was picked in the T20I squad and Tickner features in both groups.
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In the absence of IPL 2026 bound Mitchell Santner, Test captain Tom Latham has been named New Zealand captain for both series. The six white-ball matches between Bangladesh and New Zealand will be played between April 17 and May 2.
Mohammed Shami takes on selectors after repeated snubs
Mohammed Shami has delivered a strong message to the Indian selectors and the coaching staff after his repeated exclusions from the national team. After taking 67 wickets for Bengal in the recently-concluded 2025-26 Indian domestic season, Shami stated that “no Indian bowler is close” to him, especially in IPL cricket in the last five editions of the tournament.
It is worth noting that the senior Indian fast bowler has not played a single international match since the conclusion of the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy in the UAE last year.
Cummins, Starc retained in central contract: Report
According to a report by Code Sports, Australia’s injured fast bowlers Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood are expected to remain central figures in Cricket Australia’s central contracts for the foreseeable future. Scott Boland will also likely feature in the spot after winning the 2025-26 Ashes series at home against England earlier this year.
Fellow paceman Jhye Richardson, who recently made his return to the national squad, will likely be dropped from the central contract ahead of Australia’s upcoming tour of South Africa. The CA has also reportedly decided the fate of Michael Neser and Todd Murphy.
United vs Zalmi match abandoned due to drainage failure
The seventh match of the PSL 2026 season, set to be played between Islamabad United and Peshawar Zalmi on March 31, was abandoned without a ball being bowled at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. After the result, the drainage system of the venue and the tournament itself became subjects of some excessive social media trolling. Netizens also roasted the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for failing to uphold the international standards of the Pakistan venue.
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