Fakhar Zaman will not be part of Lahore Qalandars for their games against Multan Sultans on April 3 and Islamabad United on April 9 after the PSL technical committee upheld the two-match ban imposed on him by match referee Roshan Mahanama for changing the condition of the ball.
Fakhar had lodged an appeal - a right afforded to him by the PSL's code of conduct - after Mahanama imposed the maximum penalty for what was his first level three offence in the 2026 season. The sanction was announced following a hearing as Fakhar had contested the ball-tampering charge.
A player is suspended for a minimum of one match or a maximum of two for a first-time level three offence under the PSL code of conduct.
"The appeal was heard today by the PSL Technical Committee comprising Professor Javed Malik, Dr Mumraiz Naqshband, and Mr Syed Ali Naqi. Pursuant to conducting a de novo inquiry, reviewing all evidence, and hearing submissions from relevant individuals, the Committee has dismissed the appeal and upheld the two-match ban imposed by Match Referee Roshan Mahanama," the PCB said in a statement on Thursday. "In accordance with the Code of Conduct, any decision made by the PSL Technical Committee shall be the full, final and complete disposition of the matter and will be binding on all parties."
Fakhar was charged for breaching article 41.3 of the PSL playing conditions, which deals with changing the condition of the ball to seek unfair advantage during a match. The incident took place during Qalandars' four-wicket defeat to Karachi Kings on Sunday night when on-field umpire Faisal Afridi sought the ball from Haris Rauf after it had exchanged hands between Shaheen Afridi and Fakhar before the start of the last over.
Faisal had 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. Qalandars were also penalised five runs, which proved pivotal in Kings' nervy chase as they won the match with three balls to spare.