Cricket News, Maroon Kit, Cricket Updates
An unusual incident marked the opening match of the Pakistan Super League 2026, as Hyderabad Kingsmen’s maroon kit led to a mid-innings ball change during their clash against defending champions Lahore Qalandars on Thursday night.
The issue arose during Kingsmen’s run chase when the white Kookaburra ball appeared to take on a maroon tint, reportedly from contact with players’ clothing and pads. The discoloration became noticeable as early as the end of the powerplay and worsened as the innings progressed, eventually prompting officials to replace the ball after 15 overs due to visibility concerns.
Kingsmen captain Marnus Labuschagne revealed that he had flagged the issue with the umpires as early as the second over. “I did say to the umpires after the second over, ‘What’s going on? The ball is all red,’” Labuschagne said after the match. He added that while he had seen balls pick up color from surfaces like pads or bats before, this situation was unusual.
Despite the incident, the umpires did not object to Hyderabad Kingsmen continuing with their maroon kit for the remainder of the tournament.
Meanwhile, Lahore’s pace spearhead Haris Rauf suggested an alternative explanation, stating that the ball might have picked up color after repeatedly going into the stands. However, this theory appeared unlikely given that the seating at Gaddafi Stadium is predominantly green and white.
Rauf acknowledged uncertainty over the exact reason for the ball change but maintained that visibility for batters would have been the key factor. “Had I gone to the crease, I would have had it changed first ball,” he remarked.
Following the match, Kingsmen humorously congratulated Qalandars on social media for winning their “first pink-ball game.”
The debutants, Hyderabad Kingsmen, endured a tough start to their PSL campaign, suffering a comprehensive 69-run defeat in their opening fixture.
