Rohan Umak
Fakhar Zaman PSL ban: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Tuesday has imposed a two-match suspension to veteran Pakistan batter Fakhar Zaman in the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2026, after he was found guilty of ball tampering. The board confirmed the development on Tuesday.
Zaman charged with Level 3 breach
Zaman was charged with a Level 3 breach under the tournament’s Code of Conduct, relating to Article 2.14, which prohibits altering the condition of the ball used in the matches. Notably, the incident took place during a match between Lahore Qalandars and Karachi Kings at Gaddafi Stadium on March 29, 2026. The controversy unfolded just before Karachi’s final innings, as the side required just 14 runs for victory.
During this, Zameen was spotted in a brief on-field discussion with teammates Haris Rauf and captain Shahid Afridi. Shortly after this, umpire Faisal Afridi inspected the ball alongside a colleague and ruled that its condition had been altered unlawfully. As a result, a penalty of five runs was imposed on Lahore Qalandars, and the ball was replaced. Consequently, Karachi Kings’ target was reduced to nine runs in the final over, and they chased it down successfully. All-rounder Abbas Afridi sealed the victory with a boundary and a six off Rauf.
Zaman denies allegations
As per reports, a Level 3 offence imposed on Zaman carries a penalty ranging from a one-match ban to a maximum of two matches. Zaman received the harshest sanction, and is set to miss Lahore’s upcoming fixtures against Multan Sultans on April 3, and Islamabad United on April 9. However, Zaman has denied the allegations.
Sources within the PCB indicated that officials are treating the case with utmost seriousness. Alongside the ball-tampering breach, PCB officials have also raised concerns over alleged violations of team security protocols. The board has reportedly conveyed a firm message to Lahore Qalandars management, underscoring that strict adherence to regulations is non-negotiable as the league advances.
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