PSL Faces Controversy Over Color-Changing Ball During Match
Controversial Incident in PSL Match
The Pakistan Super League (PSL) encountered significant embarrassment during a match between Lahore Qalandars and Hyderabad Kingsmen when the ball changed to a pink hue within just five overs of Lahore's innings. Observers speculated that the color alteration occurred after players from the Hyderabad team rubbed the ball against their trousers, causing the jersey dye to transfer. The PSL's quality has frequently been scrutinized, with critics suggesting that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) prioritizes completing the tournament over enhancing its standards and viewer experience. This recent incident sparked outrage among fans and raised questions about the PCB's commitment to the league.
Former Pakistani cricketer Kamran Akmal humorously criticized the PCB regarding the incident, stating, "Every city has a dupatta gali where you can color your dupatta. It looks like the kits have come fresh from that place. Initially, I thought the ball appeared pink due to camera effects, but it could also be from the sponsorship boards," Akmal remarked.
🚨 FORMER PAKISTAN CRICKETER TAKES A BRUTAL DIG AT PSL OVER PINK BALL SAGA "I genuinely thought Hyderabad Kingsmen got their kits dyed at some dupatta lane back home, the kind where they recolor white clothes for bargain rates." 🤣ðŸ˜ðŸ¤£~Kamran Akmal pic.twitter.com/7IIkbCXVEV
— Brutal Truth (@sarkarstix) March 27, 2026
Hyderabad's captain, Marnus Labuschagne, expressed his surprise at the color transfer, stating he had never encountered such an issue in his professional career. "After the second over, I mentioned to the umpires, 'What's going on? The ball is red.' It must be from the clothing or something similar. I've never seen anything like this before," Labuschagne shared during the post-match press conference. He expressed hope that the matter would be resolved swiftly, adding, "I've seen instances where something from a bat transfers onto the ball, or when it hits the pad and loses some paint. But I've never witnessed this with clothing. I'm confident they'll address it in the upcoming matches."
Lahore Qalandars Achieve Dominant Victory
In the same match, Lahore Qalandars secured a decisive victory against the Kingsmen. They batted first, scoring an impressive 199-6, and subsequently bowled out their opponents for 130, winning by 69 runs. Fakhar Zaman was the standout performer for Lahore, scoring 53 runs, while Haseebullah Khan contributed 40 runs. On the bowling front, Haris Rauf took two wickets, with Shaheen Afridi and Mustafizur Rahman each claiming one wicket, leading Lahore to a thrilling win.