PSL 2026: Lahore Qalandars penalised for ball tampering in defeat by Karachi Kings

Lahore Qalandars were penalized for ball tampering in their Pakistan Super League defeat against Karachi Kings.

Before the final, the Kings, needing 14 points to win, were awarded five penalty rounds after referees deemed Kalandar’s player had broken the rules by “unfairly altering the possession of the ball”.

It is understood the infringement was seen by the television referee before the on-field referees awarded the penalty. The ball was also changed at the request of the batting side.

Now needing just nine out of six balls, the Kings completed the victory with three balls to spare.

Later, when asked about the incident, Qalandar captain and Pakistan national team player Shaheen Afridi said: “I don’t know about that.

“We’ll see if it’s on camera. We’ll discuss it.”

The laws of cricket do not allow players to change the condition of the ball other than polishing it.

Law 41.3.2 states that “it is an offense for any player to take any action that alters the condition of the ball.”

The PSL’s playing conditions say referees will report the matter to the match referee, who will “take action deemed appropriate against the players concerned”.

David Warner, who was banned for 12 months by Cricket Australia for his role in the ball-tampering scandal in Australia in 2018, was captaining in Karachi at the time of the match.

The PSL and Pakistan Cricket Board have been approached for comment.