Lahore Qalandars batter Fakhar Zaman has decided to challenge the two-match suspension over ball-tampering charges levied on him by the umpires during the match against Karachi Kings. For the unversed, the opening batter was charged with a Level 3 offence underย Article 2.14 of the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel for allegedly breaching Article 41.3 of the playing conditions, which prohibits any action that alters the condition of the ball.
The incident took place on March 29 just before the start of the last over in the low-scoring thriller. Just after the ball passed from hands of Shaheen Afridi to Fakhar, the umpire sensed a doubt and checked the condition of the ball and changed it. They also imposed a five-run penalty on the Qalandars for the same reason that turned the game on its head.
Karachi Kings needed 14 runs off the final over, but the penalty meant they had to score only nine runs, which they eventually did and won the game to seal the low-scoring thriller. After the match, when Fakhar denied to accept the charges, there was a formal hearing and he was suspended for two matches by the match referee.
Fakhar has submitted an appeal to the PSL technical committee
According to a report in Geo News, Fakhar Zaman has submitted an appeal against the suspension to the PSL technical committee. It is not yet clear if the hearing related to the incident will take place and whether the cricketer in question will be allowed to play Lahore Qalandars’ next match on Friday (April 3) against Multan Sultans. As per the current suspension, Fakhar will also miss the Qalandars’ game on April 9 against Islamabad United.
The earlier disciplinary hearing was overseen by match referee Roshan Mahanama, with Shaheen Afridi, team director Sameen Rana, and team manager Farooq Anwar also present during the proceedings. Further details regarding the matter are expected in the next few days now.