In a bizarre incident during the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2026 opener, Hyderabad Kingsmen found themselves at the center of online trolling after the ball turned pink during their match against Lahore Qalandars on March 26. The incident occurred at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore when the white ball, initially used by the Hyderabad bowlers, took on a pinkish hue.

The color change was traced back to the team’s maroon jerseys, with players reportedly using their kits to maintain the ball’s shine. It is believed that dye from the Hyderabad Kingsmen's jerseys transferred onto the ball, giving it an unusual pink tint. Fans were quick to mock the franchise over what they perceived as a low-quality jersey issue.

The hilarious moment led to several fans joking about the world witnessing the first-ever pink-ball T20 match, while others questioned the league’s standards, calling the competition "gully-level" due to such mishaps. Amid the trolling, the franchise struggled to regain focus in the match.

In the game, Lahore Qalandars set a target of 200 runs, posting 199/6, thanks to Fakhar Zaman’s brilliant half-century (53 off 39 balls). Haseebullah Khan and Sikandar Raza contributed to the total with 40 and 24 runs, respectively. For Hyderabad, Hassan Khan and Riley Meredith picked up two wickets each.

The PSL, already facing challenges, was further affected by logistical issues. The tournament, initially scheduled to be held across six venues, was cut down to just Lahore and Karachi due to the ongoing fuel crisis in the country. The Pakistan Cricket Board also announced that all matches would be played behind closed doors to reduce costs and limit public gatherings. As the PSL 2026 struggles with these setbacks, fans have been quick to mock the competition, with some dubbing it the “Petrol Shortage League” before the cricket even gets underway.