The 2026 season of the Pakistan Super League has landed in fresh controversy, with fans accusing broadcasters of using artificial crowd noise during live matches despite stadiums being empty.
Due to a severe fuel crisis and government travel restrictions, PSL 2026 matches are being played behind closed doors, with fans barred from attending in Lahore and Karachi. To enhance the viewing experience, organizers introduced simulated crowd sounds during TV broadcasts.
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- 10 mins late start of match
— SheR•ALI (@Sher__Ali) March 26, 2026
- Horrible lights in broadcast
- Delay b/w Picture and Sound
- Irritating artificial crowd sounds
- Wasim Akram starting the commentary
• Professionalism is illegal in PCB pic.twitter.com/oB9f00sS4b
However, the move has not gone down well with viewers. Social media platforms were flooded with criticism, with many calling it “fake” and misleading. One viral reaction read, “Yeh Pakistan ko chuna laga rahe hai,” reflecting growing frustration among fans who felt the broadcast attempted to mask empty stadiums.
Criticism also extended toward Mohsin Naqvi, the Pakistan Cricket Board chief, with netizens blaming management decisions for what they described as a poorly executed viewing experience.
Here's how the Netizens reacted
Yeh Pakistan ko chuna laga rahe hai
— amertha.work (@amerthawork) March 27, 2026
Mohsin Naqvi changed PSL name from Petrol Shortage League to Paisa Shortage league pic.twitter.com/k0N8dWDec0
— Ravi Raj (@Ravii0639) March 26, 2026
This is called gully cricket
— Shravan Sangwan (@ByShravan) March 26, 2026
Wrong
— deefib (@dee011235) March 26, 2026
Professionalism is illegal in Pakistan
Even my school's cricket stadium has better lighting than this...
— ABC__4216 (@Jitu245347) March 26, 2026
From what angle does the tournament look like?
Your question should be : "Yeh crowd ki aawaz kaha se aarahi hai. Ground toh khaali hai" and i would have replied: pic.twitter.com/pm1NghYWE3
— Krutika (@Twiter17358221) March 26, 2026
Business as usual from PCB
— (@Anshuraj_19) March 26, 2026
Nothing to be disappointed here
The issue adds to a string of controversies surrounding PSL 2026, including broadcast glitches and unusual on-field incidents, putting the league under early scrutiny. As the tournament progresses, fans are demanding more transparency and improved production standards rather than artificial enhancements to replicate crowd atmosphere.