The 2026 season of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) has barely begun, but it has already sparked one of the strangest controversies in recent cricket history.
What was supposed to be a routine opener between Lahore Qalandars and Hyderabad Kingsmen at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore turned into what fans are now calling a “pink-ball game”.
The drama unfolded when Australia’s Marnus Labuschagne, skipper of Hyderabad Kingsmen, noticed that the white ball is unusually changing colour first to pink and then to a deeper red shade.
Labuschagne quickly raised concerns with the umpires, pointing out that the discoloration appeared to be coming from the players’ maroon jersies.
“I told the umpires after the second over, ‘What’s going on? The ball is red,’” he said after the match in a press conference. “It must be from the clothes or something. I’ve never seen anything like this before.”
In cricket, players often polish the ball using their jerseys to maintain shine on one side. However, in this case, it appears that dye from the Hyderabad Kingsmen’s kit may have been transferring onto the ball during this process.
After the match was won by Lahore Qalandars, Hyderabad Kingsmen took to X with a cheeky jab:
“Congratulations to the opposition on winning their first pink-ball game.”
The post quickly went viral with fans flooding social media with hilarious comments.
One of the users commented, “Such a big embarrassment for PCB.” Another sarcastically added, “The colour changing ball by PCB is a ground breaking innovation!”
Labuschagne remains hopeful that the issue would be resolved quickly.
“I’m sure they’ll sort it out in the next few games,” he added.
Labuschagne gets surprise of his life as white ball turns pink during Pakistan Super League
