Shaheen Afridi and Fakhar Zaman (Image credit: NEW DELHI: Pakistan cricket and controversy seem to go hand in hand. Now, a new row has erupted – this time over alleged ball tampering by Pakistani cricketers in the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL). The incident took place during a PSL match between Lahore Qalandars and Karachi Kings, with Lahore Qalandars’ Fakhar Zaman at the center of the controversy.The problem came to light when Lahore Qalandars fast bowler Haris Rauf was to bowl the final over with Karachi Kings needing 14 runs to win.Rauf was preparing to bowl when captain Shaheen Afridi and Fakhar joined him for a short discussion to outline the plan for the final.
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IPL 2026 should be an audition for India’s next T20I captain What raised eyebrows was that Fakhar looked like he was caught on camera changing the ball.On-field umpire Faisal Afridi then claimed the ball, inspected it and had a long discussion with fellow umpire Sharfuddoulou of Bangladesh.WATCH:After deliberation, the umpires concluded that the ball had been tampered with and awarded five penalty runs to Karachi, reducing the target to nine runs from the last six balls.The ball was also replaced.Karachi batsman Khushdil Shah fired the first over of the final over but Rauf followed it up. Abbas Afridi then hit a four and a six to seal a four-wicket win for Karachi in 19.3 overs.“Fakhar denied the allegations leveled against him during a disciplinary hearing conducted by match referee Roshan Mahanama,” the Pakistan Cricket Board said in a statement. “Another hearing is due to take place within the next 48 hours, after which the judge will share his verdict.” If found guilty, the minimum penalty for a level 3 offense is a one-match suspension.
