Fakhar Zaman, the experienced left-hander, spoke up about growing questions on whether he’ll keep playing internationally – clearing up that leaving T20 cricket isn’t happening soon. Right now with Lahore Qalandars in the PSL, he’s sitting out two games due to a penalty for altering the ball in a match just gone by. Though, after the tournament ended last month – the 2026 T20 World Cup – he once thought it might be time to walk away; things shifted inside him, so those plans are off the table now.
“After the World Cup, I had decided to retire from T20 cricket. However, I no longer intend to retire and want to finish my T20 career on a high note,” Fakhar was quoted as saying by Geo News.
Fakhar Zaman found himself in trouble lately – not for scoring runs, but for changing the ball’s condition in a game versus Karachi Kings, which led to a two-game suspension in the PSL.
Fakhar had drawn extra attention from the umpires well before the ball switch happened, reports PTI, which came alongside a five-run deduction aimed at Lahore Qalandars
“The Karachi Kings management had brought to the notice of the fourth umpire and subsequently the match referee from the 13th over onwards that they suspected Fakhar was doing something to the ball,” said a source.
A person close to the match said the referee told the officials out there to monitor Lahore Qalandars closely – Zaman especially.
“Before the final over, umpire Faisal Afridi had already been watching closely. He asked for the ball and on inspecting it suspected it had been tampered with a foreign object,” he added.
“That is why the decision to change the ball and award penalty runs was given,” he stated.
After the ban, Zaman turned to the PSL’s technical committee hoping they’d reverse the referee’s call – yet they stood by it, saying clues seen by officials were strong enough to justify punishment. Their verdict held firm.
Out for the Lahore clash Friday, the Pakistan batter missed time due to suspension. Another match slips away come April 9
