Multan Sultans owner Gohar Shah has reaffirmed his position on the ball-tampering controversy involving Lahore Qalandars, stating that he stands by his earlier remarks despite sustained criticism during PSL 11. The comments come after backlash to his social media reaction to a contentious moment earlier in the tournament.
Incident that triggered the controversy
The debate stems from a March 29 fixture between Lahore Qalandars and Karachi Kings at Gaddafi Stadium, where concerns were raised over the condition of the ball late in the second innings. With Karachi chasing 129, the ball was exchanged among fielders before umpires intervened, awarding five penalty runs and replacing it. The decision proved decisive as Karachi Kings went on to complete the chase, bringing the incident under scrutiny across the league.
Shah voices his stance early
Addressing the criticism of his remarks while speaking on the Burger Stop Podcast, Shah said, “I just don’t like how they behave, especially their fan base. I’m not pointing any fingers at the owners or the players,” making clear that his comments were directed at supporter behaviour rather than the team’s internal setup.
Disciplinary outcome adds context
The incident later resulted in disciplinary action, with Fakhar Zaman receiving a two-match suspension for a Level III offence, as previously reported by cricexec. The sanction followed the on-field findings and added weight to the wider discussion around the episode.
Shah responds to backlash and clarifies role
He added, “I tweeted that I thought the ball was getting a pedicure. Later, I’m not sure, the umpire called the player in and ruled him out for ball tampering. I was 30 kilometers away at home on my phone. I had no direct link to the umpire. He’s the one who made that decision. I had nothing to do with it,” rejecting any suggestion that his comments had influenced proceedings.
The post, which was later deleted, triggered strong reactions online, with some critics accusing him of bias against Lahore Qalandars and sections of their fan base.
Explanation as a spectator
He further said, “My only fault was that, as a spectator watching the game, I felt something was happening to the ball. It didn’t seem fair, so I pointed it out,” positioning his reaction as that of a viewer observing the match rather than someone directly involved.
Personal stance remains unchanged
He noted, “They may not be my franchise’s enemy number one, but they’re enemy number one for me,” underlining his unchanged stance despite the backlash that followed.
The episode continues to remain a prominent talking point as PSL 11 progresses.
