Kamal Ghorui
The Pakistan Super League 2026 began on an unusual note at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on Thursday, as defending champions Lahore Qalandars registered a commanding 69-run win over Marnus Labuschagne-led Hyderabad Kingsmen. Lahore piled up 199/6 in their 20 overs, with Fakhar Zaman top-scoring with 53, while Hyderabad were restricted to 130 in reply.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!Yet, beyond the result, the match grabbed attention for a bizarre moment — the ball turning pink during play. The exact reason behind the discolouration remains uncertain, though social media buzz suggested that the maroon kits of Hyderabad fielders or possible dew conditions may have played a role. The umpires eventually opted to change the ball after the 15th over of the Qalandars’ innings. Fans were quick to latch onto the incident, flooding social platforms with memes and witty takes on the unexpected “pink ball” episode.
Despite the odd development, the batters appeared largely unbothered and carried on without raising concerns. The Qalandars themselves joined in the humour post-match, writing, “Congratulations to the opposition on winning their first pink-ball game.” Clips of the incident quickly spread online, turning it into one of the most talked-about moments from the tournament opener.This season of the PSL is being held without spectators due to a fuel crisis linked to the ongoing West Asia situation. As per PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi, the move follows a request from Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif urging citizens to limit travel. The tournament has also been scaled down from six venues to just Lahore and Karachi, with the opening ceremony scrapped.‘Shaky’ broadcast draws criticismBroadcast issues further added to the criticism, with viewers pointing out shaky camera work, blurry visuals despite promises of 4K quality, and noticeable audio-video sync problems. The use of pre-recorded crowd noise, often out of sync with on-field action, also drew complaints from fans.While the cricket itself unfolded smoothly, the PSL 2026 opener will be remembered as much for the curious pink ball and the ensuing online chatter as for Lahore’s dominant performance. The viral clips underline how even the quirkiest moments can capture the spotlight in modern-day cricket.
