Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2026 The 11th edition of the competition is underway. Something unusual happened last night in match number 6 between Lahore Qalandars (LHQ) and Karachi Kings (KK). Qalandars opener Fakhar Zaman has been accused of ball tampering during the game. It was captured on camera that the southpaw did something with the ball.
After being given the ball by captain Shaheen Afridi and teammate Haris Rauf, Fakhar Zaman was seen forcefully putting something in the ball. The umpire immediately stepped in, changed the ball, assessed the conditions and Qalandars were penalized five runs. Although the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has charged Zaman with ball tampering, the punishment is unlikely to be harsh.
Fakhar Zaman is certain to be banned
However, Fakhar Zaman has denied the allegations against him. Zaman was charged with a Level 3 offense under Article 2.14 of the PSL Code of Conduct after match referee Roshan Mahanama found a possible breach of the playing conditions which prohibit changing the position of the ball.
Earlier, the Pakistan Cricket Board had said, “Fakhar denied the allegations made against him during the disciplinary hearing led by match referee Roshan Mahanama. Another hearing is scheduled to be held within the next 48 hours, after which the match referee will share his decision.”
Fakhar Zaman is constantly defending himself
Recently, new reports said that Fakhar Zaman’s second hearing ended with a ban of one to two matches likely. Fakhar Zaman is firm on his stand even after the first hearing and the second hearing.
The incident of ball tampering happened before the last over of Karachi Kings’ innings, when they needed 14 runs to win. On-field umpire Faisal Afridi took the ball and sought advice from Sharafuddaula, the other umpire. The umpires determined that the position of the ball was intentionally changed.
In the last few years, you have probably obtained a new loan, the moment of pride is at its first hearing.
– Sohail Imran (@sohailimrangeo) 30 March 2026
Fakhar was charged with breaching a playing condition, “which makes it an offense to take any action that alters the position of the ball,” a PSL statement on Monday said. Now, with the second hearing taking place, Fakhar is expected to miss the matches against Multan Sultans and Islamabad United.
PSL played with empty stands
The PSL has started from March 26, 2026 and will run till May 3, 2026. Two new teams have been added to the tournament, Rawalpindi Pindiz and Hyderabad Kingsmen. This is the first time that the competition has been held with 8 teams.
However, it has been played in empty stadiums and crowds have not been allowed due to the Middle-East Asia crisis. Talking about the match, Karachi Kings won the match by 4 wickets while chasing the target of 129 runs.
Lahore Qalandars are the defending champions and the joint most successful team along with Islamabad United, having won the trophy three times. Shaheen Shah Afridi’s team is second in the points table after playing two matches, with one loss and one win.
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