Naseem slapped with Rs20m fine; Fakhar faces level 3 ball-tampering ban
By Nawaz Gohar : In a day of unprecedented disciplinary turmoil, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the Pakistan Super League (PSL) technical committee have moved decisively against two of the nation’s most decorated cricketers. While speedster Naseem Shah has been hit with a historic financial penalty over a digital contract breach, explosive opener Fakhar Zaman is battling a Level 3 ball-tampering charge that could see him sidelined for the remainder of the tournament.
The PCB officially imposed a staggering Rs20 million fine on Naseem Shah on Monday, following a social media post that violated several core clauses of his central contract. The board’s action followed a show-cause notice issued on March 27 and a personal hearing before a three-member disciplinary committee.
Despite an “unconditional apology” from the pacer, the PCB maintained a zero-tolerance stance. In a move to set a wider precedent for player management, the board has permanently blacklisted Shah’s social media adviser, barring them from representing any player under the PCB’s jurisdiction.
Naseem Shah took to X (formerly Twitter) to distance himself from the controversy, claiming the lapse was a result of his management team’s oversight. “I take full responsibility for my platform and have implemented the necessary changes to ensure this does not happen again,” Shah stated, offering a sincere apology to the cricketing fraternity.
The “K-Town” Scandal: Fakhar Zaman Charged with Level 3 Offence
While Naseem deals with a financial blow, Lahore Qalandars’ mainstay Fakhar Zaman is fighting for his reputation. Zaman has been charged with a Level 3 offence under Article 2.14 of the Code of Conduct for allegedly altering the condition of the ball during a high-stakes clash against Karachi Kings.
The controversy erupted just before the final over of the Kings’ innings. With 14 runs needed off 6 balls, umpires Faisal Afridi and his colleague inspected the ball and determined it had been tampered with. The fallout was immediate:
Five penalty runs were awarded to Karachi Kings.
The target was slashed to just 9 runs, shifting the momentum entirely.
Karachi’s Abbas Afridi capitalized, striking consecutive boundaries to seal a thrilling four-wicket win.
Eyewitness accounts suggest the charge relates to a huddle involving Fakhar, Haris Rauf, and captain Shaheen Shah Afridi just before the final over. Fakhar has categorically denied the allegations before match referee Roshan Mahanama. A secondary hearing is scheduled within the next 48 hours.
The Stakes: If found guilty of a Level 3 offence, Fakhar Zaman faces a mandatory ban of at least one match, though guidelines suggest a more severe suspension could be on the horizon.
The back-to-back disciplinary strikes signal a paradigm shift in the PCB’s management style. Captain Shaheen Shah Afridi’s post-match comments, expressing bewilderment at the penalty, suggest a growing friction between the franchise and officials. By hitting a marquee player with a record-breaking fine and holding a senior pro to a Level 3 charge, the PCB is sending a clear message: The sanctity of the game and the central contract supersede any individual stardom.
