Pakistan batter Fakhar Zaman has been ruled out of two matches in PSL 2026 after his appeal against a ball-tampering charge was turned down.
The PSL Technical Committee looked into the matter in detail but decided to keep the original punishment in place.
The controversy took place during the match between Lahore Qalandars and Karachi Kings. Ahead of the final over, the umpires became suspicious about the condition of the ball. The ball had been passed between Haris Rauf, Shaheen Afridi, and Fakhar Zaman while under close watch. Moments after Fakhar returned the ball to Rauf, the umpire stepped in and ordered a replacement, raising concerns about possible tampering.
PSL 2026: Fakhar Zaman's Appeal Rejected After Detailed Review
"The appeal was heard today by the PSL Technical Committee comprising Professor Javed Malik, Dr Mumraiz Naqshband, and Mr Syed Ali Naqi," the PCB said in a statement.
"Pursuant to conducting a de novo inquiry, reviewing all evidence, and hearing submissions from relevant individuals, the Committee has dismissed the appeal and upheld the two-match ban imposed by Match Referee Roshan Mahanama. In accordance with the Code of Conduct, any decision made by the PSL Technical Committee shall be the full, final and complete disposition of the matter and will be binding on all parties," it added.
Notably, Fakhar, 35, was found guilty of breaching Article 41.3 of the PSL playing conditions, which relates to changing the condition of the ball to gain an unfair edge. Match referee Roshan Mahanama handed down the maximum penalty for the offence.
PSL 2026: Dramatic finish and matches to miss
Apart from this two-match ban, the umpires have also taken action against the team. Lahore Qalandars have been penalized with five extra runs, leaving Karachi Kings needing just 9 runs in the final over. Abbas Afridi then turned the game on its head, smashing a four and a six early in the over to guide Karachi to a four-wicket win at Gaddafi Stadium.
Following the ban, Fakhar Zaman will miss Lahore Qalandars' upcoming PSL 2026 fixtures against Multan Sultans on April 3 and Islamabad United on April 9.