PSL 2026: Fakhar Zaman’s Appeal Against Ball-Tampering Ban Rejected; Two-Match Suspension Upheld

A three-member technical committee of the Pakistan Super League has rejected Fakhar Zaman’s appeal against his two-match suspension for ball-tampering. As a result, the Lahore Qalandars batter will serve the full ban and miss the PSL 2026 games against Multan Sultans on April 3 and Islamabad United on April 9.

Zaman argued in his appeal that there was no conclusive evidence supporting the ball-tampering allegations, which happened during Lahore’s match against Karachi Kings. However, after going through the available evidence, the panel upheld the original ruling by match referee Roshan Mahanama.

The referee, after conducting two hearings, charged Zaman with a Level 3 offence for changing the condition of the ball.

The controversial incident happened just before the final over of Karachi Kings’ innings. Zaman, Shaheen Shah Afridi, and Haris Rauf – all in a huddle – were seen tampering with the ball.

On-field umpire Faisal Afridi requested the ball from Zaman and, after inspecting it alongside fellow umpire Shujauddaula, imposed a five-run penalty on Lahore Qalandars. The ball was also replaced. The penalty reduced Karachi Kings’ target to nine runs, which they sealed with three balls to spare.

Following the decision, Shaheen Shah Afridi expressed his disagreement with the penalty imposed on his team, saying, “I don’t know if the condition of the ball changed. But it was disappointing to see the umpire’s decision.”

Although Zaman has been banned for two PSL games, it remains to be seen what further penalties, if any, would be imposed on Lahore Qalandars for this incident.

(With PTI Inputs)