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Fakhar Zaman is facing ball tampering allegations in PSL. Credits - AFP
A one-of-a-kind broke out in the Pakistan Super League (PSL 2026) during the Lahore Qalandars and Karachi Kings clash last Sunday. In that match, Lahore's Fakhar Zaman was found tampering with the condition of the ball.
The on-field umpires changed the ball during the game, and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) sanctioned a charge against the Lahore Qalandars batter batter with "Level 3 Offence under Article 2.14 of the applicable Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel".
Although the 35-year-old batter denied the sanctions imposed by the PCB before match referee Roshan Mahanama, a hearing on the matter has been completed. The concerned parties have been informed of the same, and it will be announced on Tuesday.
Lahore Qalandars may take legal action against PCB
Reportedly, Fakhar Zaman can see a ban of one to two matches in the ongoing tournament. However, the franchise Lahore Qalandars will take a legal measure against the Pakistan board if a penalty is imposed on their player, as reported by The Express Tribune.
"The Lahore Qalandars team has stood firmly in support of their player, and according to sources, legal action may be taken if a penalty is imposed," the report read.
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Did Fakhar Zaman do ball tampering?
During the Lahore Qalandars versus Karachi Kings clash, the game went down to the wire. In the final over, the Kings needed 14 runs with Haris Rauf to bowl the last over. However, in between the 19th and 20th over, a video is circulating showing Fakhar Zaman tampering with the ball.
The on-field umpires, Faisal Afridi and Sharfuddoula, firstly changed the ball and then penalised the Lahore Qalandars with five runs. Although the Lahore speedster started the over with a wicket, Abbas Afridi finished off the game with a four and six.
Later, in the post-match presentation, skipper Shaheen Afridi defended his batter, saying "I do not if the ball was tampered". "We will see it in the camera and discuss. Five runs penalty hurts but I can't say anything now," he added.
Lahore Qalandars owner fines Shaheen Afridi
In other news, the Lahore Qalandars have found themselves in another piece of controversy. Before the match against Karachi Kings, Captain Shaheen Afridi and Sikandar Raza forcibly escorted four visitors to the team's hotel room, breaching the league's security protocol, as the league is running behind closed doors due to a fuel shortage in Pakistan.
In the aftermath, the franchise owner, Sameen Rana, slapped a PKR 1 million (approx. USD 3,600) fine on their skipper as a repercussion.
Nevertheless, the Qalandars will next take the field on April 3 against the Multan Sultans at the Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore. It will be interesting to see whether Fakhar Zaman plays in that game.
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