Lahore Qalandars batter Fakhar Zaman has been suspended for two matches in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) over a ball-tampering offence, the Pakistan Cricket Board said on Tuesday.
The left-handed opener was found guilty of a Level 3 breach of the PSL Code of Conduct during Sunday’s match against the Karachi Kings.
Fakhar Zaman banned
The penalty proved important in the closing moments of the game.
Abbas Afridi hit a boundary and a six in the final over, helping Karachi Kings secure a four-wicket win with three balls remaining.
Fakhar Zaman denied the charge and requested a full disciplinary hearing.
Match referee Roshan Mahanama upheld the charge after reviewing the evidence and hearing from the player.
Team officials, including Sameen Rana and Farooq Anwar, were also present.
Under PSL rules, a Level 3 offence carries a ban of one to two matches. Fakhar received the maximum penalty.
Background
The incident took place in the closing stages of the match on 29 March at Gaddafi Stadium.
On-field umpires penalised Lahore Qalandars five runs and ordered the ball to be changed before the final over of Karachi’s innings.
Television footage showed Fakhar Zaman and fast bowler Haris Rauf passing the ball between them after a brief discussion with captain Shaheen Shah Afridi.
The ball was then examined by the umpire.
Officials later confirmed a breach of Article 2.14, which relates to altering the condition of the ball.
What happens next?
Lahore Qalandars will now be without Fakhar Zaman for their upcoming fixtures against Multan Sultans on 3 April and Islamabad United on 9 April.
Speaking after the match, Shaheen Shah Afridi said the team would review the incident but declined to comment further.
Fakhar has the option to appeal the decision within 48 hours under PSL regulations.
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