NEW DELHI: Pakistan cricket has once again been shaken by a ball-tampering controversy. In a Pakistan Super League clash between Lahore Qalandars and Karachi Kings at the Gaddafi Stadium, Fakhar Zaman—one of Lahore’s key batters—was allegedly seen tampering with the ball on live television, leaving fans and viewers visibly stunned.
The incident reportedly took place during the closing stretch of the contest. At that stage, Karachi Kings required 14 runs to win with the final over remaining. Lahore captain Shaheen Afridi entrusted the last over to fast bowler Haris Rauf, setting up a crucial showdown.
Before Rauf began his run-up, he reportedly had a brief conversation with Afridi and Fakhar as they discussed their approach for the over. During this sequence, Fakhar was spotted making an adjustment to the ball, which triggered an immediate response from the officials on the field. The umpire stepped in, spoke to Afridi, and the ball was eventually replaced.
This is not the first time Pakistan players have been linked to a tampering row. Amid the latest allegations, a previously shared video has also resurfaced showing Shahid Afridi appearing to tamper with the ball.
In that earlier episode, Afridi—captaining Pakistan during his absence of Mohammad Yousuf in a T20I versus Australia in 2010—was caught on camera biting the ball. Following the match, he was questioned by match referee Ranjan Madugalle.
Madugalle later stated that Afridi admitted to the charge, offered an apology, and expressed regret for his actions. Afridi was subsequently handed a ban covering two T20 internationals after being found guilty of ball tampering.
The charge was brought under Article 2.2.9 of the ICC Code of Conduct, which covers “changing the condition of the ball in breach of Law 42.3 of the Laws of Cricket.” Speaking to Geo TV at the time, Afridi said, “I shouldn’t have done it. It just happened. I was trying to help my bowlers and win a match, one match.”
He added, “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.”
FAKHAR DENIES BALL-TAMPERING CHARGES
Despite being pulled up, Fakhar has denied the ball-tampering allegations. The batter appeared before former Sri Lankan cricketer and match referee Roshan Mahanama and rejected the claims.
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. The accusation centres on a breach of Article 41.3 of the PSL playing conditions, which forbids any act that alters the condition of the ball.
The match referee is expected to conduct another hearing within the next 48 hours before delivering a final decision. If the offence is proven, Fakhar—and potentially Lahore Qalandars as a team—could face significant sanctions.
