PSL 2026: Fakhar Zaman banned for two matches for ball tampering

Lahore Qalandars player Fakhar Zaman has been suspended for two PSL 2026 matches after being found guilty of tampering the ball or, in regulatory terms, changing the condition of the ball in breach of the playing conditions. The incident occurred in the sixth match between Lahore Qalandars and Karachi Kings on Sunday, March 29.

At the end of the 19th over in the second innings, the on-field umpires Shahid Saikat and Faisal Khan Aafreedi inspected the ball and determined its condition was changed in contravention of the regulations. The duo immediately called for a replacement ball and awarded five penalty runs to the opposition, Karachi Kings, who now needed nine runs off the last over instead of 14.

A PCB statement revealed later that Fakhar was at the centre of the controversy and charged with a Level 3 offence with match referee Roshan Mahanama set to conduct a formal hearing before deciding on the penalty.

That hearing occurred today wherein Fakhar contested the charge, however, Mahanama was unconvinced and imposed the suspension of two matches based on the evidence available before him. As a matter of fact, all the four umpires from the match in concern and the Qalandars' team personnel - captain Shaheen Shah Afridi, team director Sameen Rana and team Manager Farooq Anwar - were also present for the hearing.

What is Article 2.14 under which Fakhar was banned?

Article 2.14 essentially relates to changing the condition of the ball illegally. It lists the methods by which altering the ball's condition would constitute a breach. For example, scratching the ball surface with nails to roughen it up, lifting the seam with nails, applying an artificial substance to the surface, throwing the ball on the ground with an intention to roughen it up, among others.

Meanwhile, Qalandars would be facing Multan Sultans next on Friday, April 3 at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore itself before the caravan moves to Karachi for the next set of matches.