The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has suspended Lahore Qalandars opening batter Fakhar Zaman for two matches. This decision follows a disciplinary hearing regarding a ball-tampering incident during a Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 match.
Details of The Incident
The incident occurred on Sunday, March 29, during a match against Karachi Kings at Gaddafi Stadium. Television cameras showed Fakhar handling the ball while speaking with teammates Shaheen Shah Afridi and Haris Rauf just before the final over.
On-field umpires Shahid Saikat and Faisal Khan Aafreedi inspected the ball and determined its condition had been altered. As a result:
- Lahore Qalandars were given a five-run penalty.
- The umpires ordered an immediate ball change.
- Karachi Kings went on to win the match with three balls to spare.
The Disciplinary Hearing
Fakhar Zaman was charged with a Level 3 offence under Article 2.14 of the PCB Code of Conduct. This article deals with changing the condition of the ball.
While Fakhar denied the charges, a full hearing was held on Tuesday. Match Referee Roshan Mahanama reviewed the evidence and listened to the player’s defense. The hearing was also attended by Lahore captain Shaheen Shah Afridi and team officials. Following the review, the referee upheld the charge and issued the two-match suspension.
Impact on Lahore Qalandars
The ban is a setback for the defending champions as they head into the next stage of the tournament. Fakhar Zaman will miss the following games:
- April 3: Match against Multan Sultans in Lahore.
- April 9: Match against Islamabad United in Karachi.
Fakhar has 48 hours to appeal the decision to the PSL Technical Committee if he wishes to contest the verdict further.
