Pakistan Super League 2026: Hyderabad Kingsmen trolled for changing the color of the ball to pink in the opener match against Lahore Qalandars
Hyderabad Kingsmen were trolled after the color of the ball changed during their Pakistan Super League opener against defending champions Lahore Qalandars. The white ball turned pink after Marnus Labuschagne asked Hyderabad to bowl first at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on Thursday, March 26.
Hyderabad bowlers were seen using their jerseys to maintain the shine of the ball and it is believed that the color transferred from there. The maroon color from Hyderabad’s kit rubbed off on the white ball, giving it a pink colour. Meanwhile, fans mocked the franchise over the poor quality of their jerseys.
Many fans joked that it was the first time the world had seen a pink-ball T20, while others questioned the standards of the league, calling it a “street-level” tournament.
Here’s how fans trolled Hyderabad Kingsman
Invited to bat first, Lahore Qalandars scored 199 runs for six wickets thanks to a half-century from Fakhar Zaman. The left-handed batsman scored 53 runs in 39 balls with the help of 10 fours and gave the Qalandars early momentum on top.
Later, Hasibullah Khan hit a knock of 40, while Sikandar Raza’s quickfire 24 helped Lahore finish just one run shy of the 200-run mark. Hasan Khan and Riley Meredith took two wickets each for Hyderabad.
PSL’s initial problems
The PSL has been thrown into turmoil even before the tournament has gained momentum. Originally scheduled across six venues, Lahore, Karachi, Rawalpindi, Multan, Faisalabad and Peshawar, the 44-match tournament was reduced to just two cities, Lahore and Karachi, after the Pakistan Cricket Board revised plans amid the ongoing fuel crisis.
PCB also confirmed this All matches will be played behind closed doorsNo spectators were allowed, and the opening ceremony was canceled to reduce costs and travel. The decision came in response to rising oil prices and government austerity measures, with officials keen to limit travel and public gatherings.
For a league that expanded to eight teams this season, the optics have been poor, with fans mocking the online competition and dubbing it a “petrol shortage league” even before cricket took center stage.
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