India, April 9 -- A symbolic "peace gesture" during the Pakistan Super League 2026 clash between Peshawar Zalmi and Hyderabad Kingsmen drew sharp reactions online, even as the match itself delivered a nail-biting finish.

Ahead of Match 15 on April 8, Zalmi skipper Babar Azam, Australia's Marnus Labuschagne, and PSL CEO Salman Naseer released a white dove during the toss. The act was part of the "Pakistan - The Peace Maker" initiative, aimed at promoting a message of peace amid ongoing geopolitical tensions, particularly between the United States and Iran.

However, what was intended as a meaningful moment quickly backfired on social media. Clips of the dove release circulated widely, prompting criticism from users who labelled the move a...