The Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2025 is set to begin on April 11, and excitement for the tournament is steadily building. However, the build-up has taken an unexpected turn with PSL franchise Multan Sultans landing in hot water over a controversial promotional video.
The controversy stems from the franchise’s decision to include an audio clip of Indian cricket captain Rohit Sharma in their latest promotional campaign for PSL 2025. The video, which was meant to hype up the unveiling of the PSL 2025 trophy, instead sparked widespread criticism and intense reactions from cricket fans on social media.
The Video That Started It All: What Did Multan Sultans Do?
To build anticipation for the upcoming PSL season, Multan Sultans released a promotional video featuring their team mascot, Saeen. The short clip was meant to create excitement for the tournament, but one unexpected detail stole the spotlight—the inclusion of Rohit Sharma’s voice in the background.
The audio clip used in the promo was taken from one of Rohit Sharma’s press conferences after India’s ICC Champions Trophy victory. In the snippet, Rohit humorously remarks:
“Aap mujhe pucho kitna wo lagta hai ye jitne ke liye”
(Translation: “Ask me how much it takes to win the title.”)
Originally, Rohit made this statement while discussing the emotions and effort behind winning a major championship. However, Multan Sultans’ decision to incorporate his words in their PSL campaign has triggered a major debate among fans, particularly in India.
Social Media Backlash: Fans React Strongly
While some fans saw the move as light-hearted and entertaining, many others were outraged, viewing it as a disrespectful stunt.
🔥 Reactions from Indian Fans
Many Indian cricket fans expressed disappointment and anger, questioning why a Pakistani franchise would use Rohit Sharma’s voice to promote their league.
- Some called the move a “cheap stunt”, accusing Multan Sultans of obsessing over Indian cricket rather than focusing on PSL’s identity.
- Others argued that the franchise deliberately used Rohit’s voice to gain attention, even suggesting that it was an attempt to troll the Indian captain.
- Several fans demanded that the video be taken down, calling it “disrespectful” and “unnecessary.”
One Twitter user wrote:
“This is embarrassing. Why would PSL use Rohit Sharma’s voice for their promo? Indian players have nothing to do with PSL.”
Another fan commented:
“They can’t promote their own players and leagues without mentioning Indian cricketers? That’s just sad.”
😕 Reactions from Pakistani Fans
Interestingly, some Pakistani fans were also critical of the move. While they did not see it as offensive, many questioned the logic behind using an Indian cricketer’s voice in a PSL promo.
- Some felt it was unnecessary and took the focus away from PSL’s own stars.
- Others feared that such marketing tactics would give Indian fans an excuse to mock PSL.
- A few even suggested that this controversy could have been avoided if the team had used a Pakistani cricketer’s words instead.
A Pakistani fan on social media wrote:
“We have so many PSL legends who could have been quoted. Why use Rohit Sharma’s words? This was avoidable.”
Another comment read:
“PSL is a great league. We don’t need to drag Indian cricketers into our promos for attention.”
Is This a Marketing Gimmick or an Unintentional Mistake?
Many cricket analysts and fans believe this controversy was no accident. Some argue that Multan Sultans intentionally included Rohit Sharma’s voice to generate discussion and publicity.
Given that the India-Pakistan cricket rivalry is one of the most intense in sports, any reference to an Indian player in a PSL campaign was bound to spark reactions.
Possible Reasons Behind the Move:
-
Attention-Grabbing Tactic:
- The controversy has given the PSL 2025 campaign a major visibility boost.
- Even people who don’t usually follow PSL are now discussing it.
-
An Unintentional Error?
- Some fans believe that the marketing team may have overlooked the impact of using an Indian cricketer’s voice.
- However, given how PSL is marketed, this seems unlikely.
-
A Playful Nod to Rivalry?
- Was this just a harmless joke, or an attempt to get under Indian fans’ skin?
- Some believe it was a lighthearted reference, but others feel it was meant to provoke a reaction.
Impact on PSL 2025’s Promotion
Instead of generating positive excitement for PSL 2025, this controversy has shifted attention away from the league’s build-up.
Rather than focusing on:
✔ The teams and new signings,
✔ The upcoming player draft,
✔ And the rivalries within the PSL,
Fans and media are now debating Multan Sultans’ marketing choices instead.
This is not the kind of pre-tournament publicity PSL organizers would have wanted.
Will Multan Sultans Respond?
As of now, Multan Sultans have not issued an official response regarding the backlash.
Possible Scenarios:
1️⃣ They might remove the video to calm the controversy.
2️⃣ They could issue a clarification, stating it was a harmless reference.
3️⃣ They may ignore the backlash entirely, letting the controversy fade.
However, with social media outrage still ongoing, the franchise may eventually be forced to address the situation.
Final Thoughts: Did Multan Sultans Go Too Far?
The use of Rohit Sharma’s voice in a PSL promo has undeniably sparked debate.
While some see it as a harmless reference, others believe it crossed the line, especially given the sensitive nature of the India-Pakistan cricket rivalry.
Key Takeaways: ✔ PSL franchises should focus on their own league’s legacy rather than referencing Indian players.
✔ Marketing strategies should be carefully considered to avoid unnecessary controversies.
✔ The India-Pakistan cricket rivalry often makes even small gestures controversial.
Whether Multan Sultans intended to provoke a reaction or not, the incident has added another layer to the long-standing cricket rivalry between India and Pakistan.
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