Fakhar Zaman has denied allegations of ball tampering after Lahore Qalandars were penalised five runs in their Pakistan Super League defeat to Karachi Kings. Umpires concluded that Fakhar had “unfairly changed the condition of the ball,” an offence that, if proven, can carry a one- or two-match suspension.
The incident occurred just before the final over, when Karachi required 14 runs to chase Lahore’s 128-9. Match officials replaced the ball and, under the rules, the batting side elected to face a new ball—reducing the target to nine from six deliveries.
On the next ball, Qalandars seamer Haris Rauf took a wicket but also bowled a wide. Two successive boundaries from Abbas Afridi then sealed the Kings’ victory in 19.3 overs.
Match referee Roshan Mahanama is due to convene a hearing in the coming days to examine the incident and decide whether further sanction is appropriate. Cricket’s Law 41.3.2 makes it an offence for any player to take action that alters the condition of the ball.
Lahore captain Shaheen Shah Afridi expressed frustration at the time, saying they would wait to see what the umpires reported. He later added that the team would review available camera footage and discuss the matter.
Fakhar, who has represented Pakistan 215 times across formats, has denied any wrongdoing and will await the outcome of the official hearing.