Pakistan and Lahore Qalandars opener Fakhar Zaman has denied all ball-tampering charges related to the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2026 clash against Karachi Kings at Gaddafi Stadium which led to a five-run penalty for the home side before the final over.
Zaman was booked under the Level 3 offence of Article 2.14 of the PSL Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel. In addition, he violated Article 41.3 of the PSL playing conditions which relates to changing the condition of the ball. The charges were levelled by the on-field umpires and the southpaw was called by match referee Roshan Mahanama who is a former Sri Lankan cricketer.
As Zaman has denied all charges against him, Mahanama is set to hold a hearing within the next 48 hours where a final call on his actions will be taken. He may face a ban of at least one match.
Before the final over, Zaman, pacer Haris Rauf and skipper Shaheen Afridi had a discussion. Zaman seemed to alter the condition of the ball. It is not clear whether he was trying to clear the dew of the ball or something else. The umpire stepped in and asked the ball from Rauf. Later, Afridi had a discussion with the umpires. They informed him of a five-run penalty.
From needing 14 runs to win the match, Karachi Kings’ final over target was reduced to nine runs. Rauf got a wicket first ball but Abbas Afridi hitting a four and a six meant Qalandars lost the match by four wickets with three balls left in the innings.
If Qalandars are found guilty of the charges levelled against them, it can lead to severe repercussions.
Afridi, Raza unaware of what led to 5-run penalty
In the post-match presentation, Shaheen said that he would like to watch the footage and see what led to the five-run penalty that changed the course of a low-scoring game.
“I don't know about this and we'll see if it's there in the camera and discuss what it is. Actually, five runs taken and we can't do anything. Like, you can't say,” the left-arm pacer said.
Also, in the post-match press conference, their Zimbabwe import Sikandar Raza said that the umpires did not provide them with the exact explanation.
"I think the exact communication is yet to be conveyed. The umpires asked us to move aside as they were speaking with the other umpire. When we asked for reasons, they told us to step aside for the time being," Raza told the reporters.
"The exact answer can be better provided by the umpires themselves, or the other umpire who had the walkie-talkie," he added.
Lahore Qalandars' next game is against Multan Sultans on April 3. A final verdict is expected to be delivered at least a couple of days ahead of the game.