![Lahore Qalandars pardoned by Pakistan great [Source: AP]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1774864756645_LahoreQalandars.jpg?type=hq)
Lahore Qalandars pardoned by Pakistan great [Source: AP]
The PSL 2026 season has been struck with an explosive ‘ball-tampering’ claim after a Lahore Qalandars player was found changing the condition of the ball. The incident occurred during match six of the season as played out between the Qalandars and Karachi Kings at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on Sunday, March 29.
However, former Pakistan cricketer Rashid Latif believes that the entire ball-tampering saga is merely a hoax, generated purely by the official broadcasters of the PSL to create trending headlines for the league.
Pakistan great pardons players, blames broadcasters for PSL ball-tampering
Former Pakistan cricketer Rashid Latif believes that not a single player was involved in the ball-tampering scandal that struck match number six of the PSL 2026 season this past weekend.
According to Latif, the entire controversy was purely created for the headlines by the official broadcasters of the tournament.
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He said “I don’t want to talk about ball tampering. These controversies are created for headlines; broadcasters thrive on it. Now PSL will be in the news everywhere.”
PSL 2026 ball-tampering scandal explained
The incident occurred mere moments prior to the final over of the match, when Karachi Kings reached 115-5 and required 14 runs from the final six balls.
Before Haris Rauf could start his final over, on-field umpire Faisal Afridi took the ball for inspection after it had exchanged hands between Lahore Qalandars captain Shaheen Afridi and fellow senior pro Fakhar Zaman.
Faisal indulged himself in an extensive discussion with other on-field umpire, Sharfuddoula, and the two decided to bring in a replacement ball after suspecting that the original ball had been tampered with.
Fakhar Zaman, Qalandars face repercussions for ball-tampering
After finding that the condition of the ball has been changed, the on-field umpires slapped the Lahore Qalandars with a five-run penalty. In doing so, the equation for the Karachi Kings eased down to nine runs required from the final six balls.
In a low-scoring match where margins were razor-thin, the sanction favored the Karachi Kings at the death as a 10-run unbeaten cameo from Abbas Afridi took them home with three balls and four wickets to spare.
The outcome also marked Lahore Qalandars’ first defeat of the PSL 2026 season, thus rendering captain Shaheen Afridi’s spirited four-wicket haul in vain.
To make matters worse for the Qalandars, senior man Fakhar Zaman is now set to face sanctions for his involvement in the ball-tampering. As per report, the blistering opening batter might face a ban of either one or two matches in the ongoing PSL 2026 season.
A PCB statement claimed that Fakhar Zaman has already been charged with a level 3 offence. Match referee Roshan Mahanama is scheduled to conduct a hearing within two days, and the senior opener is expected to challenge the charge.
With a hearing imminent and narratives divided, it remains to be seen whether Fakhar’s fate will validate the umpire’s on-field ball-tampering decision or justify Rashid Latif’s explosive claims of a manufactured storm.
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