PSL’s ‘Pink Ball’ Controversy: Shoaib Akhtar Makes a Furious Statement

Ahmed Shahzad also slammed the PSL as a 'ping-pong' league, criticizing its declining standards, and inability to compete with the IPL.

PSL’s ‘Pink Ball’ Controversy: Shoaib Akhtar Makes a Furious Statement

Shoaib Akhtar slammed PSL organizers and team owners after ball turned pink due to jersey color. (via NDTV Sports)

In Short
  • The PSL 2026 opener faced controversy as the match ball turned pink due to dye transfer from players' jerseys.
  • Shoaib Akhtar criticized the Pakistan Cricket Board for poor quality jerseys and the overall organization of the league.
  • Several overseas players have opted to leave the PSL for the IPL, raising concerns about the league's appeal and quality.

The 2026 Pakistan Super League opener was spoiled by a major embarrassment, as the match ball turned pink at times. Following this PSL blunder, former Pakistani fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar sharply criticized the country’s cricket board and the tournament’s organizers.

PSL 2026 got underway this week, with defending champions Lahore Qalandars kickstarting their season with a dominant 69-run win over the new Hyderabad Kingsmen side at the Gaddafi Stadium.

The three-time PSL champions, opting to bat first, posted a respectable 199-run total on the board, guided by a 39-ball 53 from Fakhar Zaman. In response, the visitors could only score 130 runs to fall short of the target.

The season opener made it to the headlines for all the wrong reasons. The PSL’s broadcast quality was the first to be criticized, after fans noticed that ‘artificial’ crowd noises were added to fill in for the silence in the stadium, with the match being played behind closed doors. Additionally, the Pakistan Cricket Board faced criticism for showing ‘inconsistency’ by permitting VIPs and certain guests into the stadiums.

To add to this, fresh controversy arose in the very second over of the match between the Qalandars and Kingsmen, as the white Kookaburra ball that was being used began to change color. It turned into a dark shade of pink.

It was later discovered that this change in color was a result of the Hyderabad Kingsmen players rubbing the ball on their trousers to maintain the shine. The low-quality dye used to make their maroon jerseys got transferred onto the white ball, turning it pink. 

Kingsmen captain Marnus Labuschagne, speaking to reporters after the match, shared that he had never seen color wear off the players’ jerseys, which even forced the umpires to change the ball multiple times.

The incident has triggered a debate over apparel quality in the PSL, with the legendary Shoaib Akhtar using it to blast out at the ‘rot’ within the PCB. He opined that overseas players had ‘insulted’ the league and suggested that the PSL should not have proceeded if the teams could not afford quality jerseys.

So much insult. I have not seen any other league, tell me the balls turned red because of the colour of the jersey, when you did not have money to make good quality jerseys then why do you buy a team, your captain [Marnus] Labuschagne went away after insulting you.

Apart from Akhtar, former wicket-keeper batter Kamran Akmal also questioned the quality of players’ kits. Akmal mocked the Hyderabad Kingsmen management and the PSL organizers by suggesting that the jerseys looked like they were sourced from a local ‘gali’. 

Exodus continues: Top PSL 2026 commentator may leave midway for IPL 

The 2026 PSL season began quietly this week, after being overshadowed by overseas players pulling out of their contracts days before the matches. These players opted to join the IPL as replacements, and now, commentators may also follow suit.

Nick Knight PSL to IPL
English commentator Nick Knight might depart PSL, after being named in the IPL panel. (via Sky Sports)

In another major embarrassment for Pakistan cricket, former England cricketer Nick Knight might disassociate himself from the PSL commentary panel, after being named in Star Sports’ broadcasters list as well. He might depart midway, leaving the PSL short of a voice. For IPL 2026, Knight will be joined by fellow Englishmen Graeme Swann, Kevin Pietersen, and former IPL-winning legend Eoin Morgan. 

Knight was already a part of PSL’s panel, which included prominent voices like Wasim Akram, Ramiz Raja, JP Duminy, and Carlos Brathwaite. Should he decide to switch to commentating in India, he will join a list of players who have opted for IPL contracts over the Pakistan Super League, including Blessing Muzarabani (KKR), Dasun Shanaka (RR) and Spencer Johnson (CSK). 

Apart from these players, the 2026 PSL season has also seen overseas players withdraw due to national team commitments and personal reasons, including Ottniel Baartman, Jake Fraser-McGurk, and Tymal Mills. PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi has recommended action against them.

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