PSL 2026: The Pakistan Super League (PSL) is in news again and not for the right reasons. During a game between Lahore Qalandars and Karachi Kings, the on-field umpires suspected of foul play and penalized Lahore with 5 runs for changing the ball’s condition.
In a talk show, former Pakistan cricketers Basit Ali and Kamran Akmal blasted the way Lahore Qalandars Shaheen Afridi, Fakhar Zaman and Haris Rauf committed ball tampering to win the game.
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PSL 2026-Turn Of Events
In the final over of the game, Karachi required 14 to win and speedster Haris Rauf was to bowl the last over. At the bowler’s run-up, Captain Shaheen Afridi, Fakhar Zaman and Rauf converged briefly and each player handled the ball at some point. Interestingly, on-field umpire Faisal Afridi was watching the interaction closely and immediately asked the ball to be inspected.
The umpire had a word with square-level umpire Sharfuddoula and both decided that the ball’s condition had indeed been changed by Lahore Qalandars. Therefore, 5 runs were awarded to Karachi Kings. Qalandars captain Shaheen was angered by the decision and Karachi Kings were left with just 9 runs to chase in 6 balls that they did comfortably.
Shaheen Afridi Plays Innocence & Victim Card
Former Pakistan Captain Ramiz Raja questioned Shaheen during the post-match presentation about the incident. Shaheen who was looking visibly unsettled didn’t offer a clear explanation. Shaheen remarked that he was unaware of the matter and it was sad to see that the on-field umpires awarded 5 runs to the Karachi Kings.
Pakistan Cricket Board has announced that Fakhar Zaman has been charged with a level III offence that carries a minimum ban of 1 match and a maximum of 2 for a first PSL season violation. In the next 2 days, match referee Roshan Mahanama would be conducting a formal hearing and Fakhar would contest the ball-tampering charges.
