The Pakistan Super League 2026 has found itself at the centre of another controversy, with Lahore Qalandars facing serious ball-tampering allegations following their dramatic loss to Karachi Kings. The incident unfolded during the final over of the match when the on-field umpire penalised the Shaheen Afridi-led side for allegedly altering the condition of the ball just before Haris Rauf began the 20th over.
The decision had a massive impact on the outcome. Lahore were defending 14 runs, but the five-run penalty reduced Karachi’s target to just 9 in the final over. Karachi Kings capitalised on the advantage and sealed a thrilling four-wicket win, leaving Qalandars stunned and fans divided over the controversial call.
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Amid the growing debate, Sikandar Raza addressed the situation and clarified his stance. “Umpires ne hume bola tha ki aap side mein ho jaayein… they were talking with the third umpire,” Raza explained, suggesting that players were kept away while the officials reviewed the situation. He emphasized that only the umpires could provide a definitive explanation of what transpired.
Sikandar Raza on Ball tampering allegations
“I can only speak for myself, I never tried to change the condition of the ball” which means Shaheen Afridi and Fakhar Zaman are involved in it. #HBLPSL11 #LQvKK #LQvsKK pic.twitter.com/doX0iKeqgd
— Tehseen Qasim (@Tehseenqasim) March 29, 2026
Speaking about his own involvement, Sikandar Raza firmly denied any wrongdoing. “I can only speak for myself – there was never an attempt from my side to change the condition of the ball,” he said. He added that he was merely trying to manage the dew, which had started to affect the ball near the boundary. “They requested us not to dry the ball under the shirt, so I started doing it over the sleeves,” he clarified.
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Sikandar Raza also revealed that he has not been called in for any questioning so far. “Unless we see proof, it’s a big decision. I haven’t been called for any enquiry,” he stated.
Meanwhile, reports suggest that Fakhar Zaman could face disciplinary action, with the PCB charging him with a Level 3 offence, which may result in a one-match suspension, further intensifying the controversy around the incident.
