Pakistan opener Fakhar Zaman has reversed his earlier decision to retire from T20 cricket, announcing that he now intends to continue playing in the shortest format and end his career on a stronger note.
Speaking to Geo News, Fakhar said he had initially considered stepping away from T20 cricket after the World Cup but later reconsidered the move.
“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.
His announcement comes at a time when the batter has been in the spotlight for disciplinary reasons during the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL).
Fakhar Zaman Faces PSL Ban Over Ball-Tampering Allegations
Fakhar Zaman recently made headlines after being handed a two-match suspension for his involvement in a ball-tampering incident during a PSL match between Lahore Qalandars and Karachi Kings.
According to reports, umpires had already been monitoring Fakhar closely before the controversial decision to change the ball and award a five-run penalty against Lahore Qalandars.
Sources indicated that the Karachi Kings management raised concerns with the fourth umpire and match referee during the 13th over, suspecting that Fakhar was interfering with the condition of the ball.
Umpires Intensified Monitoring Before Final Decision
As suspicion grew, the match referee reportedly instructed on-field officials to closely observe the Lahore Qalandars players, particularly Fakhar.
Before the final over, umpire Faisal Afridi inspected the ball after requesting it from the field.
Upon examination, the umpire suspected that the ball had been tampered with using a foreign object, leading to the decision to replace the ball and impose penalty runs against Lahore Qalandars.
Officials stated that the action was taken based on observed irregularities and circumstantial evidence during the match.
Appeal Rejected By PSL Technical Committee
Following the ban, Fakhar Zaman filed an appeal to the PSL technical committee seeking to overturn the suspension.
However, the committee rejected the appeal, stating that there was sufficient circumstantial evidence available to justify the match referee’s decision.
As a result, Fakhar was forced to sit out Lahore Qalandars’ fixture against Multan Sultans on Friday night.
He is also expected to miss another match scheduled for April 9, completing his two-match suspension.
Career Plans Remain Firm Despite Controversy
Despite the ongoing disciplinary issue, Fakhar’s decision to continue playing T20 cricket signals his determination to contribute further to the format.
The left-handed batter has been a key figure in Pakistan’s white-ball setup and remains one of the most experienced T20 players in the region.
With his retirement plans now postponed, Fakhar aims to rebuild momentum and close his T20 career on a positive note once he returns to action.