New Delhi: Netizens are in splits after visuals of a television graphic, during the ongoing first Test between Bangladesh and Pakistan, showing Indian cricketers in Pakistan’s playing XI went viral.
In a major broadcasting goof-up, the graphics package featured names like Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Tilak Varma, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel and others as part of the Pakistani side.
The list also included Jitesh Sharma, Rinku Singh, Washington Sundar, Ravi Bishnoi, Arshdeep Singh and Mukesh Kumar, all incorrectly slotted into Pakistan’s lineup graphic, as reported by Financial Express.
Cricket fans reacting with humour and disbelief, with many social media users joking about whether it was a production slip or a deliberate attempt to grab attention and boost engagement.
“A little sense goes a long way in broadcasting,” a user posted.
“Even the graphics team knows who brings the real TRP,” another quipped. Others sarcastically suggested that Pakistan’s selection committee had switched to Photoshop.
Some questioned whether the blunder was simply a technical mistake or an intentional stunt to trigger reactions online, as screenshots of the graphic continued to circulate widely.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh put up a strong performance in the Test, scoring 413 in their first innings. This was possible due to a century by skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto. Mominul Haque and Mushfiqur Rahim also contributed crucial runs to strengthen the home side’s position.
Pakistan captain Shan Masood is leading a relatively inexperienced squad, with debutants included in the playing XI and senior batter Babar Azam missing out due to injury.
More than on-field action, it was the off-field broadcast blunder that dominated conversation, turning a routine Test match graphic into one of the most talked-about cricket moments of the day.
