PSL's Peace Dove Gesture Backfires Amid US-Iran Ceasefire Hype The Pakistan Super League (PSL) faced widespread mockery after attempting to leverage the recent US-Iran ceasefire as a platform for promoting Pakistan’s image as a global peacekeeper. The league’s decision to have its captains release a dove during the toss of a match between Peshawar Zalmi and Hyderabad Kingsmen sparked a wave of social media criticism, with fans dismissing the gesture as insincere and hypocritical. The move, intended to highlight Pakistan’s role in mediating the ceasefire between the United States and Iran, was met with sarcastic remarks and memes that questioned the country’s credibility as a peace broker. The ceasefire agreement, brokered with Pakistan’s involvement, was announced on Wednesday, prompting the PSL organizers to seize the opportunity to enhance Pakistan’s diplomatic standing. During the pre-match ceremony, presenter Urooj Mumtaz announced that the captains would release a dove as a symbol of peace. Babar Azam and Marnus Labuschagne, the captains of the two teams, carried out the gesture, with Labuschagne visibly amused by the situation. However, the attempt to align the league with global peace efforts was quickly overshadowed by public skepticism. Social media users, both Indian and Pakistani, ridiculed the gesture, with many pointing out the irony of a country grappling with internal political tensions and external conflicts using cricket as a tool for diplomacy. Memes and tweets mocked the idea of Pakistan as a peacekeeper, with one user quipping, “The world’s most wanted terrorist home Pakistan is the peace maker.#babar_azam #pakistan_super_league #hyderabad_kingsmen #peshawar_zalmi #marnus_labuschagne
Flying Bam Bahadur’s pigeon: PSL trolled over 'peacemaker act' amid US-Iran ceasefire The Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2026 became a focal point of online criticism after a symbolic peace gesture during the 15th match between Peshawar Zalmi and Hyderabad Kingsmen sparked widespread mockery. The act, intended to highlight Pakistan’s commitment to peace amid escalating tensions between the United States and Iran, was met with skepticism and derision from social media users. The event unfolded ahead of the April 8 match, where a white dove—a universally recognized symbol of peace—was released by Peshawar Zalmi captain Babar Azam, Hyderabad Kingsmen skipper Marnus Labuschagne, and PSL CEO Salman Naseer. The gesture was part of the “Pakistan - The Peace Maker” initiative, which aimed to position the country as a mediator in the Middle East conflict. However, the symbolic act quickly turned into a target of ridicule, with critics branding it as a forced, publicity-driven effort that felt out of place in a cricket tournament. The match itself saw Hyderabad Kingsmen suffer their fourth consecutive defeat against Peshawar Zalmi. Batting first, Kingsmen struggled early, losing four wickets for 34 runs before a crucial 82-run partnership between Perera and Labuschagne lifted them to 145. Despite this, a late collapse saw them lose five wickets for just nine runs, leaving them in a precarious position. In response, Zalmi began strongly, scoring 56 runs in the powerplay. However, wickets from Saim Ayub and Hassan Khan brought Kingsmen back into contention, reducing the target to 14 runs off the final over. Iftikhar Ahmed, who had already taken four wickets in the innings, delivered a clutch performance, smashing a boundary and a six in the final over to seal a thrilling last-ball victory for Zalmi.#babar_azam #pakistan_super_league #hyderabad_kingsmen #peshawar_zalmi #marnus_labuschagne
"Joke Of The Century": Babar Azam, Marnus Labuschagne's 'Peace Gesture' During PSL Brutally Trolled By Internet A symbolic act of peace, intended to bridge geopolitical divides, sparked widespread mockery on social media after Pakistan Super League (PSL) team captains Babar Azam and Marnus Labuschagne, along with PSL CEO Salman Naseer, released a white dove ahead of a match between Peshawar Zalmi and Hyderabad Kingsmen. The gesture, timed against the backdrop of a two-week ceasefire between the United States and Iran, aimed to highlight diplomatic efforts in the Gulf region. However, the move was met with sharp criticism, with many users branding it as a misguided attempt to inject politics into sports. The dove release occurred during the toss of the PSL 2026 fixture, a moment typically reserved for ceremonial rituals rather than geopolitical symbolism. While the gesture was framed as a tribute to the US-Iran ceasefire, critics argued that cricket should remain apolitical. Social media platforms quickly turned the event into a viral spectacle, with users accusing the PSL of hypocrisy for mixing sports and diplomacy. One user tweeted, “These people were saying there should be no politics in cricket a few months ago, what are they doing now?” Another remarked, “Joke of the century,” while a third lamented, “LOL! No peace at home, but sure, go ahead with solving world peace. Delusional people!” The controversy surrounding the dove release amplified existing debates about the role of sports in global politics. While some praised the gesture as a creative way to raise awareness, others dismissed it as a publicity stunt.#babar_azam #hyderabad_kingsmen #peshawar_zalmi #marnus_labuschagne #salman_naseer
Hyderabad Kingsmen's maroon kit forces ball change in PSL opener The first match of the PSL 2026 tournament saw an unusual incident involving the Hyderabad Kingsmen's kit during their opening game against Lahore Qalandars. After 15 overs of the first innings, the ball used in the match was reportedly affected by the maroon-colored kit worn by the Kingsmen, making it difficult for the batters to spot. The issue became apparent early in the game, with the maroon tinge on the white kookaburra ball visible from the media box by the end of the powerplay. Kingsmen captain Marnus Labuschagne brought the matter to the attention of the umpires after the second over, expressing confusion over the ball's appearance. "I did say to the umpires after the second over, 'What's going on? The ball is all red,' " Labuschagne said post-match. He speculated that the color might have transferred from the players' clothing, though he noted that such an occurrence had not been seen before. He added that the team would address the issue before their next game on Sunday. The umpires did not object to the Kingsmen continuing with their kit, allowing the match to proceed. However, Lahore Qalandars' all-rounder Haris Rauf suggested the ball might have picked up color from the green and white seats in Gaddafi Stadium, where the ball frequently flew out of the ground. Rauf, who was not batting during the incident, stated he would have requested a ball change if he had been at the crease. "I am not certain who got the ball changed," Rauf said. "We cannot ascertain whether it was because of the kit. It may well have been because of the seats. As long as the batters continued to see the ball clearly, they batted. They may have changed it when it got difficult to pick.#gaddafi_stadium #lahore_qalandars #hyderabad_kingsmen #marnus_labuschagne #haris_rauf
PSL's Ball Turns Red Due to Jersey Dye Controversy The Pakistan Super League 2026 season opener between Lahore Qalandars and Hyderabad Kingsmen at Gaddafi Stadium sparked a bizarre controversy when the white ball turned red during the first innings, attributed to poor-quality jersey dye from Hyderabad’s kit. The incident, which left players and fans stunned, unfolded as the match progressed, with the ball gradually shifting from pink to deep red as fielders rubbed it against their maroon-colored jerseys. The unusual occurrence disrupted what was expected to be a routine start to the tournament. Television cameras captured the ball’s color change, prompting immediate attention on the field. Marnus Labuschagne, captain of Hyderabad Kingsmen, quickly raised the issue with the umpires after noticing the ball’s transformation during the second over. Labuschagne, who has played in multiple international leagues, described the situation as unprecedented. “I did say to the umpires after the second over, ‘What’s going on? The ball is red.’ It must be from the clothes or something like that. I haven’t seen anything like that,” Labuschagne said at the post-match press conference. While minor color transfer from bats or pads is not unheard of, Labuschagne emphasized that the dye from the jerseys was a novel and concerning issue. He expressed confidence that the problem would be resolved in subsequent matches. The incident quickly gained traction on social media, with fans criticizing Hyderabad Kingsmen for the quality of their kits. Clips and images of the discolored ball went viral, raising questions about the league’s standards and quality control. Despite the controversy, Lahore Qalandars delivered a strong performance, posting 199/4 in their 20 overs after being asked to bat first.#pakistan_super_league #gaddafi_stadium #lahore_qalandars #hyderabad_kingsmen #marnus_labuschagne
