Lahore’s Fakhar Zaman charged with alleged ball tampering in PSL game

Lahore, Pakistan — Lahore Qalandars opener Fakhar Zaman has been formally charged with ball tampering after umpires ruled the match ball had been deliberately altered during the final over of Sunday’s Pakistan Super League clash against Karachi Kings at Gaddafi Stadium.

The incident unfolded with Karachi requiring 14 runs off the last six deliveries. Fast bowler Haris Rauf prepared to bowl the 20th over while captain Shaheen Shah Afridi, Zaman and Rauf conferred near the bowler’s run-up, all three handling the ball in the process. Umpire Faisal Afridi called for the ball, examined it alongside Bangladesh’s Sharfuddoula, and concluded it had been unfairly changed. Five penalty runs were awarded to Karachi, the ball was replaced, and the target was reduced to nine off the over.

Zaman contested the Level 3 offence during an immediate hearing conducted by match referee Roshan Mahanama, the Pakistan Cricket Board confirmed. A second hearing will be held within 48 hours, after which Mahanama will announce his verdict. A guilty finding carries a minimum one-match suspension.

Karachi’s Khushdil Shah was dismissed first ball, but a wide and boundaries from Abbas Afridi sealed a four-wicket victory with three balls to spare, lifting the Kings to 19.3 overs.