The Quetta Gladiators have not laid a complaint over alleged ball-tampering by Peshawar Zalmi in a recent Pakistan Super League fixture.
The Gladiators contested a key 2020 PSL clash against Zalmi at the National Stadium in Karachi late last week, after which captain Sarfaraz Ahmed suggested the condition of the ball had been altered. Zalmi will meet the Multan Sultans on Wednesday. Multan and Peshawar are priced at 2.00 and 1.80, respectively, by bet365 to that match at the Multan Cricket Stadium.
“As far as ball-tampering is concerned, we have followed the protocols of the Pakistan Cricket Board and submitted our report on the matter,” said Ahmed.
Quetta team manager Nabeel Hashmi and the PCB later stated a formal complaint had not been made. Zalmi won the fixture by six wickets.
“The Pakistan Cricket Board today confirmed match referee Roshan Mahanama has not received an official complaint from Quetta Gladiators against Peshawar Zalmi for changing the condition of the ball,” read a brief statement from the PCB.
More from PCB CEO Wasim Khan
PCB chief executive officer Wasim Khan added: “We are aware that a statement on changing the condition of the ball has been made without providing any concrete evidence or lodging a formal complaint through the correctly stated procedure.
“In this case, this should have been submitted to the match referee by 6pm on Monday, 24 February. Such irresponsible statements without formal follow-up will only effect the integrity of the event and cast doubts on international cricketers, and, as such, I request the players to use caution and show responsibility.”
Quetta are the defending champions – and currently occupy second position in this PSL's six-team standings. They have won two matches in three attempts. The Lahore Qalandars, who have finished in last position in all of the previous four PSL tournaments, are currently at the bottom of the log.
The Gladiators have the leading wicket-taker of the season, so far. Fast bowler Mohammad Hasnain has taken seven wickets in three matches. Zalmi have the leading run-scorer in the history of the competition in batsman Kamran Akmal, who hit a century against Quetta on Saturday. His 101 spanned 55 balls and featured 13 fours and four sixes.
