Sports
Fakhar Zaman denies ball-tampering charge in PSL match | The Express Tribune
Fakhar Zaman has denied a charge of ball-tampering in the Pakistan Super League. Photo: PSL
KARACHI:
There is a looming threat of a two-match ban on Fakhar Zaman over allegations of ball tampering. The match referee has completed the hearing and informed the concerned parties of the decision, which is expected to be announced on Tuesday.
The Lahore Qalandars batter has once again denied accepting the charges.
Meanwhile, the Lahore Qalandars team has stood firmly in support of their player, and according to sources, legal action may be taken if a penalty is imposed. At Gaddafi Stadium,Lahore Karachi Kings needed 14 runs in the final over to defeat Lahore Qalandars few days ago. According to a video of the incident, during a break between overs, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, and Fakhar Zaman were seen standing together. At that moment, Fakhar took the ball from Haris, did something to it, and then returned it to the bowler.
Immediately, the umpire took the ball from Haris and replaced it, while also awarding a 5-run penalty against Lahore Qalandars. As a result, Karachi Kings’ target in the final over was reduced from 14 to 9 runs, which they successfully chased in just three balls.
This action was taken under PSL Playing Conditions Clause 41.3, which gives umpires the authority to frequently and closely inspect the ball if they suspect any attempt to alter its condition. Under Clause 41.3.5.1, the batter at the crease has the right to choose a replacement ball from a selection of six balls with varying degrees of wear.
According to Clause 41.3.5.3, if umpires can identify the player(s) responsible for altering the ball’s condition and the batting side requests a replacement, a 5-run penalty is awarded to the batting team.
Earlier, on Sunday night, the Pakistan Cricket Board stated in a press release that Fakhar Zaman had violated PSL Playing Conditions Article 41.3. He has been charged under Article 2.14 of the Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which constitutes a Level 3 offense involving any action that alters the condition of the ball. Fakhar Zaman had also denied the allegations during the initial hearing before match referee Roshan Mahanama.
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St. Louis Cardinals shortstop Masyn Winn was involved in a terrifying car crash on Wednesday night hours after he delivered a walk-off hit against the New York Mets.
Winn’s vehicle appeared to slip on “wet pavement” as he was driving on Interstate 64, the team said in a statement, via FOX 2 Now. He was the only person involved in the crash.
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St. Louis Cardinal teammates surround Masyn Winn after he hit the game winning hit during the eleventh inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets Wednesday, April 1, 2026, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/LG Patterson)
“We are grateful that he is OK, and thank the first responders in our community who helped Masyn tonight,” the Cardinals said.
The Cardinals added that he was the only person in the vehicle when the crash occurred and was helped by police, team security and medical staff. He was taken to a hospital and did not suffer any injuries.
The scary moment came after he helped the Cardinals to a win over the Mets in the 11th inning. Winn singled home the game-winning run as St. Louis picked up the 2-1 win.
St. Louis Cardnial’s Masyn Winn tosses his bat after striking out during the second inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets, Wednesday, April 1, 2026, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/LG Patterson)
“It wasn’t the best swing,” Winn said after the game, via MLB.com. “But I was just trying to get to first base, just in case.”
The Gold Glover was 1-for-4 in the game. He’s batting .160 with four hits and two runs scored through six games this season.
St. Louis tied the game in the sixth inning thanks to a Nolan Gorman RBI. Then, Cardinals pitcher Gordon Graceffo was able to keep the Mets at bay as he pitched out of a jam in the top of the 11th inning.
St. Louis Cardinals’ Masyn Winn throws out a runner during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets Wednesday, April 1, 2026, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/LG Patterson)
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New York got their lone run from a Juan Soto home run after Francisco Lindor was picked off at first base.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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Italy’s sports minister has called on the country’s soccer federation (FIGC) president Gabriele Gravina to resign after the four-time world champions failed to qualify for a third successive World Cup on Tuesday.
Italy‘s penalty shootout loss to 66th-ranked Bosnia and Herzegovina in the qualifying playoffs comes after the Azzurri were eliminated at the same stage by Sweden ahead of the 2018 World Cup and by North Macedonia in 2022.
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“It’s evident to everyone that Italian soccer needs to be overhauled,” Sports Minister Andrea Abodi said, “and that process needs to start with new leadership at the FIGC.”
Gravina is still holding onto his job after also surviving the qualifying elimination for the 2022 World Cup.
“Next week we will make much deeper reflections on the situation,” Gravina said, hinting that he could call for a new election for the country’s top soccer position. “There are a lot of evaluations to consider.”
Italy coach Gennaro Gattuso has also yet to give any indication about his own future after taking over when Luciano Spalletti was fired after Italy lost its opening qualifier to Norway last year.
“I’m not interested at all in talking about my future today,” Gattuso said following the loss in Bosnia. “It hurts, it really hurts. More than hurting me, it hurts to see this group which has really given everything in these months and I think we deserved to get back what we put in and I honestly think it’s too reductive and too immature to be talking about my future today.”
Gattuso was given a contract until the end of this summer’s World Cup, with an automatic renewal until 2028 if Italy reached the tournament in North America.
Even if Gattuso hasn’t made up his mind whether to stay or not, the Italian soccer federation gave a clear sign it would like him to remain on Tuesday.
“I have to praise Gattuso. I think he’s been a great coach, he is a great coach, I’ve asked him to stay on in charge of these players,” Gravina said.
The issues in Italian soccer extend beyond the national team.
The last Italian club to win the Champions League was Inter Milan in 2010; while in this season’s continental competition, all four Italian clubs were eliminated before the quarterfinals.
Added former Italian Premier Matteo Renzi: “Unfortunately the third consecutive elimination from the World Cup is not an April Fool’s joke. It’s a sign that Italian soccer has failed. Soccer isn’t just entertainment in our country; it’s part of our culture and national identity.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Bringing generations of hockey fans back to the game with a premium LIVE experience
tapmad has acquired the exclusive digital and television broadcast rights for the FIH Hockey World Cup 2026, set to take place in Belgium and the Netherlands.
This strategic acquisition marks another significant step in tapmad’s mission to bring Pakistan’s forgotten national sports back into the spotlight. Hockey, once a symbol of national pride, holds deep emotional and historical significance for the country, and with the Pakistan national team qualifying for the World Cup after eight years, the moment carries renewed meaning for fans across the nation. tapmad is determined to reconnect audiences with that legacy through accessible, high-quality coverage.
Over the past year, tapmad has consistently invested in international hockey properties, successfully broadcasting major tournaments including the FIH Hockey Nations Cup 2025, FIH Hockey Pro League, and the FIH Hockey World Cup Qualifiers Egypt 2026.
With the addition of the 2026 World Cup, tapmad continues to build the most comprehensive hockey content portfolio in the region, further strengthening its commitment to the sport’s revival.
By securing rights across both digital and television platforms, tapmad aims to maximise reach, ensuring fans across Pakistan can experience world-class hockey and witness this long-awaited comeback on the global stage like never before.
Yassir Pasha, CEO of tapmad, commented:
Hockey has always been an integral part of Pakistan’s sporting identity. In 2024 and 2025, we made a conscious effort to invest in hockey and bring it back into the spotlight. Securing rights for tournaments like the FIH Hockey World Cup 2026 is a continuation of that commitment to revive the sport and make it accessible to audiences across Pakistan.
As anticipation builds for the FIH Hockey World Cup 2026, tapmad is set to deliver an immersive viewing experience, LIVE, in HD quality, and without any Ads, bringing fans closer to the game that once defined a nation.
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