Fakhar Zaman takes legal action against Mohsin Naqvi and PCB over two-match PSL suspension
Published - 01 Apr 2026, 04:47 PM | Updated - 01 Apr 2026, 04:49 PM
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The Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2026 has been underway; however, Pakistan cricket does not get away from controversy, as some of the other controversies have been associated with it. Recently, during PSL, Lahore Qalandars opener Fakhar Zaman was punished for tampering with the ball during a game against Karachi Kings, which led to a five-run penalty for the reigning champions.
Fakhar Zaman has been banned for two matches for the incident he committed last Sunday. The Southpaw was caught man-handling the ball and pressing the ball with his hands, and the on-field umpire caught him doing it, and he was handed a ban, after a hearing in which match referee Roshan Mahanama concluded Fakhar had tampered with the ball.
Fakhar Zaman appeals against his ban
The opener breached Article 41.3 of the PSL code of conduct. The hearing had to take place because Fakhar had contested the ball-tampering charge. Fakhar Zaman has now filed an appeal against his two-match ban. However, it is rarely possible that he will get any kind of positive support from his appeal.
Umpires Shahid Saikat and Faisal Khan Aafreedi, television umpire Asif Yaqoob, and fourth umpire Tariq Rasheed lodged the charge against the defending champions' opening batter. The 35-year-old rejected the charges and asked for a detailed disciplinary inquiry under the PSL Code of Conduct.
Fakhar breached PSL's code of conduct
A player is suspended for a minimum of one match or a maximum of two for a first-time level-III offence under the PSL code of conduct for players and player support personnel. The Lahore Qalandars captain, Shaheen Shah Afridi, team director Sameen Rana, and team manager Farooq Anwar were also present in the hearing.
A PCB statement said: "Match Referee Roshan Mahanama conducted the disciplinary hearing and made the determination after reviewing all evidence and providing an opportunity of personal hearing to Fakhar. Lahore Qalandars Captain Shaheen Shah Afridi, Team Director Sameen Rana and Team Manager Farooq Anwar were also present during the hearing."
Fakhar Zaman also tampered with the ball during the T20 World Cup
This is not the first time that Fakhar Zaman has been alleged for ball tampering. Previously, during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, during the USA vs Pakistan match, the USA were 98/1 in the 13th over, Monank Patel launched Shaheen Afridi for a straight six.
As the ball was returned to Fakhar, who was standing in mid on, USA players on the field and in the dugout spotted him grabbing it and putting it under his jersey. Fakhar appeared to hold the ball under his shirt with both hands for an extended period of time, with obvious finger movements that, to some who looked attentively.
USA complained about the tampering incident
After that during end of the 13th over, the USA were in control, requiring 56 runs from 42 balls and nine wickets in hand after taking Shaheen Afridi apart. In the next overs, the ball began to reverse swing, making stroke play more difficult. The match eventually came down to the wire, with the USA tying the game at the end of 20 overs before winning by a super over.
According to USA players in the dugout, the response to the incident was rapid. Several players and members of the support crew contacted fourth umpire Rod Tucker to express their concerns as soon as the incident happened, reported Cricbuuzz. As of now, Fakhar Zaman will miss Lahore Qalandars’ upcoming two matches against Multan Sultans and Islamabad United.
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