New Delhi: Pakistani cricket has been hit by a ball-tampering scandal in the Pakistan Super League (PSL). A huge controversy erupted during the match between Lahore Qalandars and Karachi Kings, as skipper Shaheen Afridi, opener Fakhar Zaman and fast bowler Haris Rauf were put under the scanner.The incident happened in the final over of the match, with Karachi Kings needing 14 runs off six balls.Haris Rauf was ready to finish the job, and just before it began, Afridi and Fakhar joined him in a short discussion to devise a plan.
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What raised eyebrows was that Fekhar looked as if he was caught on camera changing the ball.The field referee, Faisal Afridi, then asked for the ball, inspected it, and had a long discussion with his fellow referee, Sharafdoula, from Bangladesh.
After deliberation, the umpires concluded that the ball had been deliberately changed and awarded five penalties to Karachi Kings, reducing the goal to nine runs from six balls. The ball was also changed.In the end Lahore Qalandars lost the match by four wickets.“REVIEWS NE BOLA SIDE MEIN HO JAAYEIN”After the match, Lahore Qalandars sent their overseas player Sikandar Raza to address the media in the post-match press conference, where questions about the controversy were inevitable.
“The umpires ne hume bola tha ki aap side mein ho jaayein because they were talking to the third umpire. The exact reason toh unhi ke paas hoga. Agar aapko clear answer chahiye, you have to ask the umpires jinke paas walkie-talkie thi ya phir the third umpire se pooch sakte hain. Unhone bas itna hi kaha tha,” Raza said: “Ki aap side mein ho jaayein, request Homes surf itni ki gayi thi ki api record apni on field sites of khadi raheen, aur captain ko bhi yahi bula gaya tha.”
“I can only speak for myself — meri tarav se kabhi bhi bol ki change status karne ka koi neeh nahi tha, not even trying. I remember trying to shine the ball ya thoda dry karne ke kushish kar raha tha, especially the border ropes ke paas jahan thodi dew thi. Toh paas yeh kaha gaya tha ki bol ko shirt ke andar dry karne ke kushish na karen so,” he said. “We started doing it with the sleeves.”“Ab jo chal rah hain aur jo allegations of lateness rah hain, jab tak proper guide nahi aata, I think it’s a big decision to say something like that. Main dressing room abhi mein gaya hoon, aur main yeh daman di sakta hoon ke muh kisi inquire ki liye nahi bulaya gaya hai,” Raza added.Fakhar denies Tampering with the ball FeesStar opener Fakhar Zaman was charged on Sunday by match referee Roshan 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.Zaman, before the former Sri Lankan cricketer, denied the charges against him.
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The match referee is expected to hold another hearing within the next 48 hours before issuing the ruling.If the violation is confirmed, Zaman’s team – and possibly the Lahore Qalandars – could face serious penalties.
