The Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 was rocked by scandal on Monday, March 30, 2026, as the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) officially charged Lahore Qalandars star Fakhar Zaman with a Level 3 offence for allegedly altering the condition of the ball during their match against Karachi Kings.
The controversy unfolded at the Gaddafi Stadium during the second innings of the match played on Sunday, March 29.
- The Exchange: Before the final over, as Karachi Kings required 14 runs to win, umpires Faisal Afridi and Sharfuddoula Saikat observed a brief discussion between Fakhar Zaman, captain Shaheen Afridi, and Haris Rauf.
- The Inspection: Umpire Faisal Afridi immediately called for an inspection after seeing the ball passed between the players.
- The Penalty: Following a lengthy discussion, the umpires ruled that the ball’s condition had been deliberately changed. They awarded 5 penalty runs to Karachi Kings and ordered an immediate ball replacement.
A Game-Changing Moment
The penalty proved to be the turning point of the match:
- Revised Target: The target for the final over dropped from 14 runs to 9 runs.
- Result: Karachi Kings successfully chased the target with three balls to spare, winning by 4 wickets. Abbas Afridi sealed the victory with a four and a six off Haris Rauf.
🚨 ANOTHER WITHDRAWAL FROM PSL 🚨
Adam Zampa is likely to return to Australia and quit the #PSL amid concerns over alleged ball tampering by local players.
This situation is a shame for cricket and raises serious questions about the integrity of the game.#cricketupdates… pic.twitter.com/lvhQr3iqml
— Lucky (@LuckyLokAce) March 30, 2026
Hearing Details & Legal Stand
Match referee Roshan Mahanama conducted an initial disciplinary hearing today, March 30:
- The Charge: Fakhar was charged under Article 2.14 of the Code of Conduct (altering the ball) and Article 41.3 of the PSL playing conditions.
- Fakhar’s Denial: Fakhar Zaman has denied all allegations of tampering.
- Team Response: Captain Shaheen Afridi stated the team would review video footage before making further comments.
- Next Steps: A follow-up hearing is scheduled within the next 48 hours, after which a final verdict will be announced.
Potential Penalties
If found guilty of a Level 3 offence for the first time in the season:
- Suspension: Fakhar could face a minimum one-match ban and a maximum of a two-match ban.
- Fines: Significant match fee deductions are standard for such violations.
Other Disciplinary Actions
In a separate incident during the same match, Karachi Kings’ Hasan Ali was fined 10% of his match fee.
- Reason: A Level 1 breach for using aggressive language or gestures toward a batter (Haseebullah Khan) upon dismissal.
- Status: Hasan Ali has accepted the charge and the penalty.
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