Lahore were penalized 5 runs, bringing down Karachi's target in final overs to 9 runs instead of 14.
The incident occurred before Haris Rauf delivered the first ball in the final over, with Karachi needing 14 runs to win. Fakhar was caught on camera doing something with the ball. Everything transpired under the watchful supervision of umpire Faisal Afridi. As soon as Fakhar transferred the ball to Rauf, the referee requested an inspection.
The umpires subsequently determined that the Qalandars had purposely altered the state of the ball, awarding the Kings 5 penalty runs. Shaheen was miffed with the call, as the five-run penalty proved to be crucial in the end. Karachi managed to score the 9 runs required in three balls to win the game.
The PCB has officially stated that a disciplinary hearing was held following the game, and it was determined that Fakhar did indeed tamper with the ball. However, the veteran Pakistani hitter rejected all of the claims, and another hearing is set within the next 48 hours.
“Lahore Qalandars’ Fakhar Zaman has been charged with a Level 3 Offence under Article 2.14 of the applicable Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, for violating Article 41.3 of the HBL PSL 11 playing conditions, which makes it an offence to take any action which changes the condition of the ball,” the PCB said in an official statement.
“Fakhar denied the charge levelled against him during a disciplinary hearing led by the Match Referee Roshan Mahanama. Another hearing is set to take place within the next 48 hours after which the Match Referee will share his verdict. The incident occurred during the second innings of the match,” the statement added.
After the game, Shaheen was asked about it, but he declined to give a definitive comment. He just replied that his staff would examine the video footage to see whether the ball's condition was purposefully changed.
(ANI inputs)