The 2026 edition of the Pakistan Super League got off to a rocky start with fans online criticising both the quality of the broadcast coverage, and the strange colour of the ball.
Defending champions Lahore Qalandars got their campaign off to the perfect start with a 69-run win over PSL newcomers Hyderabad Kingsmen, racking up 199 before knocking over their opponents for 130.
But even if the cricket may have been smooth, everything around it wasn't quite so. During the first innings, with Hyderabad fielding, it wasn't long before the ball appeared to take on a pinkish tinge, which became more noticeable as the innings wore on. As several speculated online, it seemed that the maroon colour of the bowling side's kit was rubbing off on the ball.
Ball turns pink in first innings of PSL 2026 opener
In any case, the batting side did not seem too disturbed by the discolouration. They carried on without any complaints; it was only during a strategic timeout in the second half of the innings that the umpires decided to change the ball. Either way, it did not go down well with everyone, even as the franchise posted after the game, "Congratulations to the opposition on winning their first pink-ball game."
'How is this a new era?'
Apart from the kits, many fans were displeased with the quality of the broadcast in Pakistan – shaky cameras and blurry footage were both noted after 4K video resolution had been advertised. There were also complaints about the broadcast's audio and video often being out of sync.
A fuel shortage in Pakistan caused by the ongoing conflict in West Asia prompted the PSL to reduce the number of venues for the tournament, cutting it to just two, Lahore in Karachi. Furthermore, matches are being played behind closed doors in order to ensure fans do not use up gas in travelling to and from the stadium.
As a result, the broadcast employed pre-recorded crowd noise throughout the match, but it was often too loud or did not differentiate between outcomes on the field, leading to a lack of immersion in the experience for viewers.
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