Kamal Ghorui
Pakistan star batter Fakhar Zaman was allegedly caught red-handed on live television for tampering with the ball during the Pakistan Super League (PSL) clash between Lahore Qalandars and Karachi Kings at the Gaddafi Stadium. He appeared to be caught on camera, prompting on-field umpires to intervene, speak to captain Shaheen Shah Afridi, and eventually change the ball. Fakhar was also criticised by former Pakistan cricketers.Despite the uproar, Fakhar has denied the ball-tampering charges. Appearing before former Sri Lankan cricketer and match referee Roshan Mahanama, he rejected the allegations.The 35-year-old opener was charged on Sunday by Mahanama with a Level 3 offence under Article 2.14 of the PSL Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel.He was found to have violated Article 41.3 of the PSL playing conditions, which prohibits any action that alters the condition of the ball.The charge relates to an incident just before the final over of Karachi Kings’ innings, when they needed 14 runs to win. Fakhar was seen in discussion with Haris Rauf and captain Shaheen Afridi before the over.Shortly thereafter, umpire Faisal Afridi took the ball into his custody and inspected it. After consulting with the other on-field umpire, it was determined that the ball’s condition had been altered.The match referee is expected to hold another hearing within the next 48 hours before delivering a verdict.The umpires penalised Lahore Qalandars five runs for altering the condition of the ball and subsequently replaced it. This left Karachi Kings needing nine runs in the final over, which they successfully chased down.All-rounder Abbas Afridi sealed the victory by hitting Rauf for a four and a six after the bowler had delivered a wide.If the match referee confirms the offence, Fakhar — and potentially the Lahore Qalandars as a team — could face serious penalties.
