Lahore Qalandars’ captain Shaheen Shah Afridi (left) speaks with teammate Fakhar Zaman in the course of the Pakistan Tremendous League match between Karachi Kings and Lahore Qalandars on the Gaddafi Cricket Stadium in Lahore, March 29, 2026. — AFP
Lahore Qalandars batter Fakhar Zaman has been suspended over ball-tampering expenses in Sunday’s Pakistan Tremendous League (PSL) match in opposition to Karachi Kings, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) mentioned on Tuesday.
In accordance with an announcement issued by the cricket board, the left-handed opener has been suspended for 2 PSL matches after being discovered responsible of a Stage 3 offence for breaching Article 2.14 of the Code of Conduct in the course of the match in opposition to Karachi Kings.
The incident occurred in the course of the closing moments of the match on March 29 at Gaddafi Stadium, when on-field umpires penalised Lahore Qalandars 5 runs and ordered a ball change earlier than the ultimate over of Karachi Kings’ innings.
The event adopted a quick dialogue between Fakhar, Lahore captain Shaheen Shah Afridi and quick bowler Haris Rauf, throughout which Fakhar and Rauf have been seen passing the ball between them earlier than it was examined by the umpire.
On-field umpires Shahid Saikat and Faisal Khan Aafreedi, together with TV umpire Asif Yaqoob and fourth umpire Tariq Rasheed, levelled the cost in opposition to Fakhar.
Fakhar denied the offence and contested the cost at a full disciplinary listening to performed by match referee Roshan Mahanama, who reached the choice after reviewing proof and listening to the participant.
Afridi, group director Sameen Rana and group supervisor Farooq Anwar have been additionally current in the course of the proceedings.
Underneath Article 2.14, which pertains to altering the situation of the ball in breach of PSL taking part in situations, actions corresponding to making use of synthetic substances, scratching the floor, interfering with the seam or intentionally roughening the ball are prohibited.
A Stage 3 offence carries a minimal penalty of a one-match ban and a most of two matches, with any enchantment required to be filed with the PSL Technical Committee inside 48 hours of the referee’s written determination.
Reacting after the match, Shaheen mentioned the group would assessment the incident. “I don’t know about this, and we’ll discuss. Five runs penalty… but we can’t say anything. We will see,” he mentioned.
Lahore Qalandars are scheduled to face Multan Sultans on April 3 in Lahore and Islamabad United on April 9 in Karachi, matches Fakhar will now miss following the suspension.
