Heavy rain combined with strong gusts cut short the Pakistan Super League clash between Islamabad United and Peshawar Zalmi at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium on Tuesday, with the contest abandoned before a single delivery was possible.
Key takeaways
- The match was called off without a ball being bowled due to persistent rain and difficult windy conditions.
- The toss was postponed as weather worsened, leaving the ground staff to battle both waterlogged surfaces and gusty winds.
- Multiple members of the covers crew lost their balance while trying to secure the tarpaulins, and incidents were captured on video.
- Rain began shortly before the scheduled 6:30 PM local-time toss and continued to intensify, keeping the pitch covered.
- Both teams received one point each, leaving Peshawar Zalmi higher in the standings and Islamabad United collecting their first point of the season.
Weather derails the contest before the toss
After the original toss time of 6:30 PM local time, the start was delayed as conditions deteriorated. Rain set in just before the toss window and then grew heavier, while strong winds made it extremely challenging for the venue staff to keep the covers in place.
As the gusts picked up, it became difficult to hold the tarpaulins steady on the ground. Several staff members were seen struggling for balance while attempting to secure the covers, and there were moments when the sheets were dragged across the playing area. Footage of the efforts later spread across social media, highlighting the risk and the frantic attempts to protect the pitch during the downpour.
At one stage, two members of the covers team fell while trying to prevent the covering from being lifted by the wind. With the outfield remaining wet and the pitch kept covered, there was no realistic pathway to begin play.
Abandoned with points shared; standings reshaped
Despite attempts to get the venue ready, officials called the match off 30 minutes before the cut-off time that would have allowed a five-over game. Since no overs were possible, Islamabad United and Peshawar Zalmi split the available points, with each side taking one.
This result pushed Peshawar Zalmi to three points from their first two matches. Islamabad United, meanwhile, earned their opening point of the campaign after the washout.
On the table, Zalmi moved into second place, edging ahead of Lahore Qalandars and Multan Sultans. United slipped to sixth, above Rawalpindi Pindiz.
Next fixtures
Peshawar Zalmi are scheduled to take on Hyderabad Kingsmen on April 8 in Karachi. Islamabad United will play Quetta Gladiators on April 4 at the same venue.
