PSL 2026: Lahore Qalandars caught in ball tampering controversy versus Karachi Kings

The Pakistan Super League (PSL) game between Lahore Qalandars and Karachi Kings was at the centre of a ball tampering controversy after the defending champions were handed a five-run penalty in the final over on Sunday, March 29.

With Karachi Kings needing 14 runs off the last six balls, Lahore Qalandars opted for the experienced Haris Rauf to bowl the final over. However, before the start of the over, cameras caught Rauf having a long conversation with captain Shaheen Shah Afridi and Fakhar Zaman, with the latter seen holding the ball very firmly. 

Umpire Faisal Afridi, who was closely monitoring the situation at the non-strikers’ end, immediately asked for the ball to be inspected. The two umpires later declared that the Lahore Qalandars players had deliberately altered the ball’s condition and awarded a five-run penalty. This brought the target down to just nine runs off six balls, with Karachi Kings chasing it down with three balls to spare after Abbas Afridi hit a four and a six.

According to ESPNcricinfo, Zaman has been charged with a level-III offence, which carries a minimum punishment of a one-match ban but could be increased to two matches as well. 

“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 Shah Afridi said about the incident during the post-match presentation. 

Qalandars’ all-rounder Sikandar Raza was also not pleased with the umpires’ decision to alter the ball before the start of the final over. The Zimbabwe star has clarified that there were never any thoughts about tampering with the ball.

“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 go back to the fielding positions,” Raza was quoted as saying by Hindustan Times. 

“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,” he added.

Karachi Kings registered their second consecutive win at the 2026 PSL season and are currently top of the standings on four points.