Lahore punished for ball tampering in PSL defeat

Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption,

Fakhar was part of Pakistan squad at this year's T20 World Cup

ByMatthew HenryBBC Sport Journalist

Published56 minutes ago

Pakistan Super League, Lahore

Lahore Qalandars 128-9 (20 overs): Shafique 33 (24); Zampa 2-11, Moeen 2-32

Karachi Kings 131-6 (19.3 overs): Waseem 38 (37); Shaheen 4-18

Karachi Kings won by four wickets

Scorecard

Lahore Qalandars were penalised for ball tampering during their Pakistan Super League defeat by Karachi Kings.

Prior to the final over, Kings, who needed 14 to win, were awarded five penalty runs after the umpires deemed Pakistan international Fakhar Zaman had broken rules by "unfairly changing the condition of the ball" - an offence he has denied.

The ball was also changed at the request of the batting side and Kings, now needing only nine from six balls, completed victory with three balls to spare.

A Pakistan Cricket Board spokesperson told BBC Sport, Fakhar, 35, who has played 215 times for Pakistan, denied ball tampering in a hearing held immediately after the match.

The hearing has been adjourned until Monday.

Cricket's laws do not allow players to alter the condition of the ball, other than when shining it.

Law 41.3.2 states "it is an offence for any player to take any action which changes the condition of the ball".

The PSL's playing conditions say the umpires will then report the matter to match referee who will take "action as is considered appropriate against the players concerned".

David Warner, who was banned by Cricket Australia for 12 months for his part in the Australia ball-tampering scandal in 2018, was captaining Karachi during the match.

Asked afterwards about incident, Qalandars captain and Pakistan international Shaheen Afridi said: "I don't know about this.

"We will see if it is that in the camera. We will discuss."

The PSL and the Pakistan Cricket Board have been approached for comment.