Fakhar Zaman Banned for Two Matches Over Ball-Tampering Breach in PSL 11
LAHORE: In a major setback for defending champions Lahore Qalandars, opening batter Fakhar Zaman has been handed a two-match suspension during Pakistan Super League season 11 after being found guilty of a Level 3 offence under the tournament’s Code of Conduct.
The decision was officially announced by the Pakistan Cricket Board on Monday, following an incident that occurred in the match against Karachi Kings at Gaddafi Stadium on March 29.
The controversy unfolded late in the game when umpires imposed a five-run penalty on Lahore and instructed a ball change just before the final over of Karachi’s innings. The charge against Fakhar was levelled by on-field umpires Shahid Saikat and Faisal Khan Aafreedi, along with TV umpire Asif Yaqoob and fourth umpire Tariq Rasheed.
Fakhar Zaman denied the allegations and opted for a formal hearing. Match referee Roshan Mahanama conducted the proceedings, reviewing the evidence before finalising the verdict after granting the player a personal hearing.
Key members of the Qalandars’ management, including captain Shaheen Shah Afridi, team director Sameen Rana, and manager Farooq Anwar, were also present during the hearing.
The charge falls under Article 2.14, which deals with altering the condition of the ball in violation of PSL playing conditions. For a first Level 3 breach, the punishment ranges from a one-match ban to a maximum of two matches.
As a result, Fakhar will miss Lahore’s upcoming fixtures against Multan Sultans on April 3 in Lahore and Islamabad United on April 9 in Karachi.
The franchise still has the option to challenge the ruling, with any appeal required to be filed before the PSL Technical Committee within 48 hours of receiving the official decision.
