PSL Shrouded In Controversy As Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, Fakhar Zaman Involved In Explosive Ball-Tampering Scandal Caught On Camera

PSL Ball-Tampering Scandal: The Pakistan Super League's (PSL) woes continue to mount, with Lahore Qalandars' ball-tampering scandal adding to the tournament's increasing list of embarrassments.

Lahore Qalandars faced disciplinary action after opener Fakhar Zaman was charged with ball-tampering during Sunday's match against Karachi Kings.

In a viral video, Lahore Qalandars players, including Shaheen Afridi, Fakhar Zaman, and Haris Rauf, were seen handling the ball suspiciously before the start of the 20th over.

The incident took place at the start of the last over of the Kings' chase when on-field umpire Faisal Afridi took the ball from Haris Rauf for inspection after it had exchanged hands between Shaheen Shah Afridi and Fakhar.

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Watch the video here

Faisal indulged in a lengthy discussion with Sharfuddoula, the other on-field umpire, and the two decided to bring in a replacement ball, deeming it to have been tampered with.

During the post-match presentation, Pakistan great Ramiz Raja questioned Afridi about the events leading up to the final over. The Lahore skipper Afridi looked visibly agitated and struggled to provide a clear answer.

"I don't know about this, and we'll see if it's there in the camera and discuss what it is. Actually, five runs taken and we can't do anything," Shaheen said at the post-match presentation.

Ramiz, however, persisted in questioning Shaheen on the ball-tampering allegations.

"You have to ask the umpires why they changed the ball. When we asked them why they changed the ball, they told us to go away. When they were making the decision, the umpires requested us, even the captain, to return to our fielding positions," he explained.

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To this, Afridi replied, "I can only speak about myself. There was never any attempt on my part to change the condition of the ball, or even to try. All I remember is that when I was trying to dry the ball and make it shine, the umpires asked us not to dry it under the shirt. Who they are accusing, unless we don't see the proof, I think it's a big decision. I have not been called for an enquiry.”

As a result of the incident, Kings were handed five penalty runs, and their batters, Khushdil Shah and Azam Khan, were allowed to select the replacement ball.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) further said that Fakhar Zaman has been "charged with a level-III offence, which carries a minimum ban of one match and a maximum of two for a first violation in a PSL season. Match referee Roshan Mahanama will conduct a hearing in the next two days and Fakhar will contest the charge."

With Agency Inputs