Lahore Qalandars were penalised for ball tampering during their Pakistan Super League defeat by Karachi Kings.
Prior to the final over, Kings, who needed 14 to win, were awarded five penalty runs after the umpires deemed a Qalandars player had broken rules by “unfairly changing the condition of the ball”.
It is understood the offence was initially seen by the TV umpire before the on-field umpires gave the punishment. The ball was also changed at the request of the batting side.
Kings, now needing only nine from six balls, completed victory with three balls to spare.
Asked afterwards about incident, Qalandars captain and Pakistan international Shaheen Afridi said: “I don’t know about this.
“We will see if it is that in the camera. We will discuss.”
Cricket’s laws do not allow players to alter the condition of the ball, other than when shining it.
Law 41.3.2 states “it is an offence for any player to take any action which changes the condition of the ball”.
The PSL’s playing conditions say the umpires will then report the matter to match referee who will take “action as is considered appropriate against the players concerned”.
David Warner, who was banned by Cricket Australia for 12 months for his part in the Australia ball-tampering scandal in 2018, was captaining Karachi during the match.
The PSL and the Pakistan Cricket Board have been approached for comment.