PSL committee rejects Fakhar Zaman appeal, keeps two-match ban in place

Islamabad: The Pakistan Super League Technical Committee has turned down Lahore Qalandars batter Fakhar Zaman’s appeal against a two-match suspension, according to a statement issued by the Pakistan Cricket Board on Thursday.

The PCB said the appeal was heard by the PSL Technical Committee, made up of Professor Javed Malik, Dr Mumraiz Naqshband and Mr Syed Ali Naqi. The board said the panel reviewed the available material and heard submissions before deciding to maintain the punishment earlier handed down by match referee Roshan Mahanama.

The appeal was heard today by the PSL Technical Committee comprising Professor Javed Malik, Dr Mumraiz Naqshband, and Mr Syed Ali Naqi.

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.

Fakhar, 35, had been charged with a Level 3 offence under Article 2.14 of the Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel. The charge relates to an alleged breach of Article 41.3 of the playing conditions, which bars any act that changes the condition of the ball.

The matter arose during Lahore Qalandars’ PSL 11 match against Karachi Kings on March 29. The PCB said the left-handed opener was penalised on Tuesday after Mahanama conducted a disciplinary hearing, reviewed the evidence and gave Fakhar an opportunity for a personal hearing before issuing the two-match ban.

Fakhar denied the allegation throughout the disciplinary proceedings and sought a full disciplinary hearing under the PSL Code of Conduct.

Incident took place late in Karachi Kings chase

The controversy emerged during the match when the on-field umpires reported an attempt to alter the ball’s condition. The incident took place before the final over of Karachi Kings’ chase.

Match officials Faisal and Sharfuddoula then came together to inspect the ball and concluded that its condition had been altered. Their decision led to a five-run penalty against Lahore Qalandars.

That sanction changed the target equation for Karachi Kings, reducing the requirement from 14 runs off the last over to nine. Karachi Kings, identified in the report as the 2020 champions, then reached the target with three balls remaining.

With the Technical Committee now dismissing the appeal, the two-match suspension imposed on Fakhar Zaman remains in effect.