Lahore Qalandars batter Fakhar Zaman has filed an appeal with the Pakistan Super League (PSL) Technical Committee against a two-match suspension following a ball tampering incident.
The incident took place during Lahore Qalandars’ match against Karachi Kings at Gaddafi Stadium on March 29.
At the start of the last over of the Kings’ run chase, on-field umpire Faisal Afridi took the ball from Haris Rauf for inspection after it had exchanged hands between Shaheen Shah Afridi and Fakhar.
Faisal then held a lengthy discussion with the other on-field umpire Sharfuddoula, and the two decided to bring in a replacement ball, deeming it to have been tampered with.
The PCB charged Fakhar with a Level 3 breach of the PSL Code of Conduct. He contested the charge, triggering a formal hearing. Match referee Roshan Mahanama concluded the hearing, reviewed all evidence, and determined that Fakhar had breached Article 41.3 of the PSL Code of Conduct. The PCB then handed him the maximum penalty of a two-match ban.
The PSL Code of Conduct allows Fakhar to lodge an appeal against the decision with the PSL Technical Committee within 48 hours of receiving the written verdict from the match referee.
His availability for Lahore Qalandars’ upcoming fixtures against Multan Sultans on April 3 and Islamabad United on April 9 depends on the outcome of the appeal.
