PSL 2026: The Pakistan Super League 2026 has once again managed to grab all the limelight with a bizzare and an unexpected reason during Match 15 between Peshawar Zalmi and Hyderabad Kingsmen. What was meant to be a meaningful gesture ended up drawing mixed reactions across social media.
PSL 2026: Peace Gesture Becomes Talking Point Online
Right before the game on April 8, Babar Azam, Marnus Labuschagne, and PSL CEO Salman Naseer took part in a symbolic act by releasing a white dove during the toss. The gesture was linked to the ‘Pakistan – The Peace Maker’ initiative, which was intended to highlight the country’s message of peace at a time of ongoing geopolitical tensions between the US and Iran, particularly in the Middle East.
Watch the viral video:
PAKISTAN – THE PEACE MAKER….!!! 🇵🇰
– Marnus Labuschagne, Babar Azam, and PSL CEO come together to release a white dove, symbolizing Pakistan’s commitment to world peace. pic.twitter.com/Z8P8aZGyWY
— Sheri. (@CallMeSheri1_) April 8, 2026
Despite the intention, the moment didn’t resonate well with many viewers. Soon after clips appeared online, reactions poured in, with several users criticising the move as “forced,” “PR-driven,” and “out of place” in a cricket tournament.
Same same pic.twitter.com/96TMjnJQ2Y
— Believer (@Believer6543) April 8, 2026
PAKISTAN – THE PEACE MAKER….!!! 🇵🇰
– Marnus Labuschagne, Babar Azam, and PSL CEO come together to release a white dove, symbolizing Pakistan’s commitment to world peace. pic.twitter.com/Z8P8aZGyWY
— Sheri. (@CallMeSheri1_) April 8, 2026
PAKISTAN – THE PEACE MAKER….!!! 🇵🇰
– Marnus Labuschagne, Babar Azam, and PSL CEO come together to release a white dove, symbolizing Pakistan’s commitment to world peace. pic.twitter.com/Z8P8aZGyWY
— Sheri. (@CallMeSheri1_) April 8, 2026
Labuschagne is trying too hard not to laugh🤣🤣
— Duggu (@Duggu_AI) April 8, 2026
🚨 Gems of Pakistan 🤣🤣
This reminds me of the scene in Panchayat where the Vidhayak acts like he’s flying Bam Bahadur’s pigeon and kills it.
The army chief of their country gets attacks carried out in Pahalgam and they are flying dove 🤣🤣🤣pic.twitter.com/m9FoIXZUn5
— Akul (𝑨𝑻10) (@Loyalsachfan10) April 8, 2026
🚨 BIG EMBARRASSMENT FOR PAKISTAN AND PSL
Peshawar Zalmi Captain 🔔 ka king Babar Azam and Marnus Labuschagne released a white dove after Pakistan ‘brokered’ a peace deal between the US & Iran.
That deal ended before the match got over😂😭😂😭😂😭 pic.twitter.com/96mbCvzsSX
— Brutal Truth (@sarkarstix) April 8, 2026
PAKISTAN – THE PEACE MAKER….!!! 🇵🇰
– Marnus Labuschagne, Babar Azam, and PSL CEO come together to release a white dove, symbolizing Pakistan’s commitment to world peace. pic.twitter.com/Z8P8aZGyWY
— Sheri. (@CallMeSheri1_) April 8, 2026
Insane PR for failed medications 😭😭
This is getting crazy now!! pic.twitter.com/u6nNnGmTxG
— Mohammed Ali (@JaanbaazAli) April 8, 2026
Hyderabad Kingsmen vs Peshawar Zalmi: Match Recap
As for the match itself, Hyderabad Kingsmen had another disappointing outing, marking their fourth loss in a row, even though they showed moments of resistance. Their innings got off to a poor start, with four early wickets falling for just 34 runs. A steady 82-run partnership between Perera and Labuschagne helped them recover and post a total of 145.
However, their innings ended on a sour note with a sudden collapse, losing five wickets for just nine runs.
Peshawar Zalmi, chasing the target, began strongly and scored 56 runs in the powerplay. The Kingsmen tried to fight back as Saim Ayub and Hassan Khan picked up important wickets, making things tense and bringing the equation down to 14 runs in the final over.
In the end, it was Iftikhar Ahmed who made the difference. After already delivering an impressive performance with the ball, he held his nerve with the bat, smashing a boundary and a six in the last over to guide Zalmi to a dramatic win on the final ball.
