Lahore Qalandars’ star opener Fakhar Zaman is under serious scrutiny after being charged with allegedly changing the condition of the ball during a tense PSL 11 clash against Karachi Kings.
As things stand, the Pakistan batter could face a suspension of at least one match, with the possibility of a two-match ban still on the table.
The incident has already sparked debate, and now the matter is heading into a decisive disciplinary phase.
Level-III Charge Puts Fakhar in Danger of Ban
According to an official Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) statement, Fakhar has been charged with a level-III offence.
This is one of the most serious categories under PSL playing regulations.
Importantly, it carries a minimum suspension of one match and can extend up to two matches for a first offence in a season.
Fakhar, however, has denied the allegation during the initial disciplinary hearing.
The hearing was conducted by match referee Roshan Mahanama, who will now revisit the matter in the coming days before issuing a final verdict.
A further hearing is scheduled within 48 hours, which means a final decision is imminent.
What Actually Happened on the Field?
The controversy unfolded at the start of the final over of Karachi Kings’ chase.
On-field umpire Faisal Afridi requested the ball from Haris Rauf for inspection after it had been exchanged between Shaheen Shah Afridi and Fakhar Zaman.
Following a lengthy discussion with the second umpire, Sharfuddoula, the officials decided to replace the ball, believing its condition had been altered.
As a result, Karachi Kings were awarded five penalty runs, and their batters Khushdil Shah and Azam Khan were allowed to choose the replacement ball.
Before the decision, Karachi needed 14 runs from the final six balls. After the penalty, the equation came down to just nine off six.
Karachi Kings wrapped up the chase in just two legal deliveries, with Abbas Afridi smashing Haris Rauf for a four and a six to seal the win. It was a dramatic finish, and the penalty became the defining moment of the match.
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