Mohsin Naqvi's PCB Hits Back At Fakhar Zaman After His Legal Appeal

Fakhar Zaman banned for two PSL games for ball tampering. Credits - AFP

Pakistan Super League (PSL 2026) and controversies go hand in hand. The ongoing season of the league has been hit with storms, with the latest one involving Fakhar Zaman and Lahore Qalandars.

In Lahore Qalandars’ previous game versus Karachi Kings, the star batter was found tampering with the condition of the ball, which led the team to a five-run penalty and Fakhar Zaman received a ban for two games.

The incident occurred last Sunday during the final overs of the Qalandars vs Kings match, when the cameras caught Fakhar ball-tampering. Later, the on-field umpires penalised the team, while the match referee Roshan Mahnama imposed a two-game ban on the 35-year-old batter.

PCB denies Fakhar Zaman's plea

As Fakhar Zaman denied the charges and reappealed, PCB had to schedule a hearing on the matter. The PSL Technical Committee, comprising Professor Javed Malik, Dr Mumraiz Naqshband, and Mr Syed Ali Naqi, gave a verdict against the Lahore Qalandars batter on Thursday.

"After reviewing all evidence and hearing submissions from relevant individuals, the committee has dismissed the appeal and upheld the two-match ban," PCB stated via a press release.

"Pursuant to conducting a de novo inquiry, reviewing all evidence, and hearing submissions from relevant individuals, the Committee has dismissed the appeal and upheld the two match ban imposed by Match Referee Roshan Mahanama," the press release added.

It is worth mentioning that the left-handed batter was charged with "Level 3 Offence under Article 2.14 of the applicable Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel".

Will Lahore Qalandars take legal action against PCB

It was understood that the Lahore Qalandars will take legal measures against the Pakistan if required.

Earlier in the week, a report by The Express Tribune stated that the three-time PSL champions won't take a knee if PCB rules the decision against their batter.

"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 had stated.

However, there has been no official word from the Lahore-based franchise. They are scheduled to play next on Friday (April 3), against Multan Sultans at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore.

What is ball-tampering?

Fakhar Zaman's ball-tampering row was the first of its kind, at least in the PSL or in franchise cricket per se. Usually, a bowling team tampers with the ball to gain an unfair advantage. The ball-tampering practice involves scratching one side of the ball to make it tough while keeping the other side untouched. It enables the fast bowlers to reverse-swing the ball.

A practice invented by Pakistani cricketers of yesteryears from the 1980s and 1990s. Although ball tampering is banned in cricket, reverse-swing is a well-known practice which is more common in the longer formats.

Various Pakistan cricketers have received bans in the past for ball-tampering, with the list starting from Waqar Younis, Shoaib Akhtar, and Shahid Afridi.