Fakhar Zaman has been suspended for two matches in the ongoing HBL Pakistan Super League (PSL) after breaching the PCB Code of Conduct, the board confirmed on Tuesday. The offence occurred during the Lahore Qalandars vs Karachi Kings match at Gaddafi Stadium on March 29.
According to the PCB, Fakhar committed a Level 3 offence under Article 2.14, which pertains to altering the condition of the ball, including tampering with its surface, seams, or applying foreign substances. The incident took place in the final stages of Karachi Kings’ innings when umpires imposed a five-run penalty on Lahore Qalandars and ordered a ball change.
The charge was filed by match officials including on-field umpires Shahid Saikat and Faisal Khan Aafreedi, TV umpire Asif Yaqoob, and fourth umpire Tariq Rasheed. Fakhar denied the allegation but requested a full disciplinary hearing.
Match referee Roshan Mahanama conducted the hearing, reviewed the evidence, and upheld the charge. Representatives of Lahore Qalandars, including captain Shaheen Shah Afridi, attended the proceedings.
As per PCB regulations, a Level 3 offence carries a minimum one-match ban and a maximum two-match ban for first-time violations. Fakhar Zaman has received the maximum penalty.
He will now miss Lahore Qalandars’ upcoming matches against Multan Sultans on April 3 in Lahore and Islamabad United on April 9 in Karachi.
The PCB clarified that any appeal must be filed with the HBL PSL Technical Committee within 48 hours of receiving the written decision.
