Fakhar Zaman vs PCB: Ball Tampering Row Sparks PSL Turmoil

Pakistan, Apr 02 : The Pakistan Super League (PSL) has been rocked by controversy after Fakhar Zaman was handed a two match suspension for allegedly tampering with the ball during a recent fixture. The decision, announced by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), followed an incident in Lahore Qalandars’ match against Karachi Kings, where officials suspected a breach of the Code of Conduct.

The situation unfolded just before the final over of Karachi Kings’ innings when on field umpires intervened, awarding five penalty runs to the batting side and ordering a ball change. The complaint was formally lodged by the match officials, including the on-field and TV umpires, citing a serious violation under Level 3 of the rules.

Fakhar has strongly opposed the ruling, maintaining his innocence and challenging the suspension through official channels. During a disciplinary hearing, he presented his defense in person, disputing the claims made against him. The proceedings were overseen by match referee Roshan Mahanama, who reviewed the evidence before upholding the sanction.

Senior members of the Lahore Qalandars setup, including captain Shaheen Shah Afridi, team director Sameen Rana, and manager Farooq Anwar, were present during the hearing, reflecting the gravity of the situation for the franchise.

The controversy comes at a difficult time for Lahore Qalandars, who are preparing for crucial upcoming matches against Multan Sultans and Islamabad United. However, on field concerns are being compounded by off field issues within the camp.

In a separate incident, captain Shaheen Shah Afridi was fined for breaching team security protocols, while fast bowler Naseem Shah was penalized heavily by the PCB for a social media post that violated his contractual obligations.

With multiple disciplinary matters surfacing in quick succession, Lahore Qalandars are now grappling with internal challenges that could impact their performance in the early stages of the tournament.