Fakhar Zaman has failed in his attempt to overturn a suspension for ball tampering, with the two-match ban upheld following an appeal. The Lahore Qalandars batter will miss key fixtures in the Pakistan Super League.
He will be unavailable for Friday’s match against Multan Sultans and the clash with Islamabad United on Thursday.
The charge relates to a breach of Article 41.3 of the PSL playing conditions, concerning altering the condition of the ball for unfair advantage. The incident occurred during Lahore’s defeat to Karachi Kings last Sunday.
Ahead of the final over, following an exchange of the ball between Shaheen Shah Afridi and Fakhar, umpire Faisal Afridi took the ball from Haris Rauf. After consultation with Sharafuddoula Ibn Shahid, the officials ruled it had been tampered with, replaced it, and awarded a five-run penalty.
That decision proved decisive, reducing Karachi’s final-over target from 14 to nine runs, which they chased down with three balls to spare.
Following a hearing, Fakhar received the maximum sanction for a Level 3 offence under PSL regulations. His appeal, however, was dismissed by the Pakistan Cricket Board.
“The PSL Technical Committee reviewed the appeal, reassessed the evidence and heard all parties before rejecting it. The two-match suspension imposed by match referee Roshan Mahanama remains in place,” the PCB said.
Under PSL rules, the committee’s decision is final and binding.
