MUMBAI: Babar Azam just turned a simple practice dive into social media gold because even when the star batter misses the catch, he still manages to steal the show. The 2026 Pakistan Super League (PSL) kicked off on Thursday with Lahore Qalandars defeating Hyderabad Kingsmen by 69 runs in the opening match. Peshawar Zalmi, led by Babar Azam, will begin their campaign against Rawalpindi PindiZ on Saturday.
Ahead of the game, a video from Babar’s advertisement shoot went viral on X (formerly Twitter). In the clip, the Pakistan star attempted a diving catch on a field padded with mattresses for safety. Despite the precautions, the dive was unsuccessful, sparking a wave of humorous memes and witty comments from fans.
Meanwhile, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has introduced a new rule to counter the dew factor in day/night matches. Captains must now submit two separate team sheets including playing elevens and four substitute fielders to the match referee before the toss. After the toss, they can choose which team sheet to use. This aims to ensure fair competition, especially in venues like Lahore and Karachi where dew can significantly affect the game.
The PCB had earlier introduced another change in domestic first-class matches, doing away with the toss and allowing the visiting captain to decide whether to bat or bowl first.
In a league known for its high drama both on and off the field, PSL 2026 has already delivered laughs, surprises and strategic tweaks proving that even before the big hits begin, the tournament knows how to keep fans hooked.
