Due to Fakhar Zaman, Pakistan cricket is once again embroiled in a big controversy. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has officially charged Lahore Qalandars opener Fakhar Zaman with ball tampering during the PSL 2026 clash against Karachi Kings in Lahore on March 30.
The timing of this relegation couldn’t be worse for the PSL. The league is already dealing with a number of issues – from safety violations involving players to hosting matches without crowds due to safety concerns and some off-field issues.
PCB disappointed with PSL controversies
These incidents have already affected the image of the tournament, and now this ball-tampering drama has added more pressure on the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and its boss Mohsin Naqvi.
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The incident occurred in the last over of Karachi’s chase. Fakhar was accused of changing the condition of the ball and Karachi Kings were given five extra runs; The ball was changed and the target was reduced from 14 runs to only 9 runs.
Karachi made the most of the conditions and easily chased down the revised target with three balls to spare as Lahore suffered a four-wicket defeat in the PSL 2026 clash.
Fakhar Zaman may face possible ban as hearing approaches
Immediately after the match, the PCB charged Fakhar Zaman with a Level 3 offense under Article 2.14 of the PSL Code. The hearing is expected to be held in the next few days and if found guilty, Fakhar may face a ban of at least one match.
It is being said that match referee Roshan Mahanama is going to be heard this week. However, Fakhar has denied doing anything wrong and the final decision will depend on the match referee’s review of the incident.
PSL incident reopens Fakhar Zaman’s ‘abnormal’ ball handling in 2024 T20 World Cup
This ball tampering controversy has not only increased the problems but also refreshed old memories. Fakhar was involved in another questionable moment during the 2024 T20 World Cup match between Pakistan and USA in Dallas. According to a Cricbuzz report, during that game, some USA players noticed something strange.
Fakhar Zaman took the ball, slid it under his shirt and held it there with both hands for a long time. His fingers were moving in such a way that it did not look like the normal “sweat the ball shines” action that players usually do.
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Typically, a player just uses one hand or rubs the ball lightly on the shirt. But this movement of two hands under the jersey made the American players feel that something was not right.
USA team reported Fakhar’s actions, but no action was taken
And what happened after that surprised many people. When the 13th over ended, USA needed just 56 runs from 42 balls, had nine wickets in hand and had given a big over to Shaheen. But suddenly the ball started reversing more than before.
The United States batsmen found it difficult to hit, and the match ultimately ended in a tie, and the United States had to win it in the Super Over. The USA dugout players and support staff immediately approached fourth umpire Rod Tucker and told him what they saw. After the match, USA captain Monank Patel also mentioned the incident and he also informed the referee Jeff Crowe about it.
But no formal action was taken and the matter gradually died down without any action or anything. Later ICC was asked about this incident, but the global organization also maintained silence.
