Fakhar Zaman (Image credit: PSL)
Pakistani star Fakhar Zaman was allegedly caught red-handed on live television for tampering with the ball during the Pakistan Super League (PSL) match between Lahore Qalandars and Karachi Kings at Gaddafi Stadium.
It appeared to be caught on camera, prompting the on-field officials to intervene and speak to captain Shaheen Shah Afridi, and they eventually changed the ball.
Fakhar was also criticized by former Pakistani cricketers.Despite the uproar, Fekhar denied the ball tampering accusations. Former Sri Lankan cricketer and match referee Roshan Mahanama rejected the allegations.The 35-year-old opener was charged on Sunday by Mahanama with a Level 3 offense under Article 2.14 of the PSL Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Staff.
He was found to have breached Article 41.3 of the Premier League’s playing conditions, which prohibits any action that alters the condition of the ball.The charge relates to an incident that occurred just before Karachi Kings’ final innings match, when they needed 14 runs to win. Fakhar was seen in a discussion with Haris Rauf and captain Shaheen Afridi before the end.Shortly afterwards, referee Faisal Afridi took the ball into his custody and examined it.
After consulting with the other referee on the field, it was decided that the condition of the ball had changed.The match referee is expected to hold another hearing within the next 48 hours before issuing the ruling.The umpires punished Lahore Qalandar with five runs for changing the condition of the ball and then replaced it. This left Karachi Kings needing nine runs in the final over, which they chased down successfully.All-rounder Abbas Afridi sealed the win by hitting Rauf for a four and a six after the bowler hit a wide ball.If the match referee confirms the offence, Fekhar – and possibly the Lahore Qalandars – could face serious penalties.