PSL 2026 opener sees ball turn 'pink', fans flood social media with memes - Watch
Lahore Qalandars kicked off the Pakistan Super League 2026 with a dominant win, but the match was overshadowed by a bizarre incident where the ball inexplicably turned pink. Despite the unusual occurrence and broadcast glitches, the focus remains on the cricket and the viral online buzz surrounding the unexpected colour change.
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. — sarkarstix (@sarkarstix) 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. — SelflessCricket (@SelflessCricket) This season of the PSL is being held without spectators due to a fuel crisis linked to the ongoing West Asia situation.