In a notable moment before the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2026 match between Peshawar Zalmi and Hyderabad Kingsmen, team captains Babar Azam and Marnus Labuschagne, alongside PSL CEO Salman Naseer, released a white dove as a 'peace gesture' following a ceasefire between the United States and Iran. However, this act was met with significant backlash on social media, where users criticized the blending of politics and cricket. Comments ranged from calling it 'the joke of the century' to questioning the sincerity of such gestures amid personal and national issues. On the field, Babar Azam contributed 43 runs in a nail-biting last-ball victory but faced scrutiny during a post-match press conference regarding comparisons to Indian cricketer Virat Kohli. Babar, visibly frustrated, urged journalists to stop making such comparisons, asserting that he has the capability to finish matches. This incident underscores the ongoing discussions surrounding Babar's performance and the pressures faced by leading cricketers in cross-border comparisons.