Kamal Ghorui
NEW DELHI: Pakistan cricket has been rocked by yet another ball-tampering scandal. During the Pakistan Super League (PSL) match between Lahore Qalandars and Karachi Kings, fans at the Gaddafi Stadium were left stunned by a controversial moment. Pakistan and Lahore Qalandars star batter Fakhar Zaman was allegedly caught red-handed on live television tampering with the ball.Fakhar appeared to be caught on camera altering the ball during the final stages of the match.The incident occurred when Karachi Kings needed 14 runs to win in the last over. Qalandars captain Shaheen Afridi handed the ball to fast bowler Haris Rauf to bowl the final over.Before starting his run-up, Rauf had a brief discussion with Afridi and Fakhar as they chalked out plans for the final over.Amid all this, Fakhar was seen appearing to alter the ball. This prompted the on-field umpire to intervene, speak to captain Afridi, and eventually change the ball.This is not the first time Pakistan players have been involved in a ball-tampering controversy.Amid the latest row, an old and widely circulated video of Shahid Afridi tampering with the ball has resurfaced.Afridi, who was leading Pakistan in the absence of Mohammad Yousuf during a T20I against Australia in 2010, was caught by TV cameras biting the ball.Afridi was questioned by match referee Ranjan Madugalle immediately after the match. Madugalle said Afridi pleaded guilty to the charge, apologised, and regretted his action.Afridi was banned for two T20Is after being found guilty of ball-tampering. He was charged under Article 2.2.9 of the ICC Code of Conduct, which relates to “changing the condition of the ball in breach of Law 42.3 of the Laws of Cricket”.“I shouldn’t have done it. It just happened. I was trying to help my bowlers and win a match, one match,” Afridi had told Geo TV.“There is no team in the world that doesn’t tamper with the ball. My methods were wrong. I am embarrassed, I shouldn’t have done it. I just wanted to win us a game but this was the wrong way to do it,” he had said.FAKHAR DENIES BALL-TAMPERING CHARGESFakhar, despite being pulled up, has denied the ball-tampering charges. Appearing before former Sri Lankan cricketer and match referee Roshan Mahanama, he rejected the allegations.Fakhar 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 match referee is expected to hold another hearing within the next 48 hours before delivering a verdict.If the offence is confirmed, Fakhar — and potentially the Lahore Qalandars as a team — could face serious penalties.
