RAWALPINDI: The departure of teams was delayed due to rain in Rawalpindi and Islamabad ahead of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) season nine match between Lahore Qalandars and Peshawar Zalmi at Pindi Cricket Stadium.
Both teams, who were set to leave at 11:30am local time, have been told to stay at the hotel for the time being.
The chances of the match, which is scheduled to begin at 2:00pm, getting washed out are high due to heavy rain in the twin cities.
It must be noted that rain could play spoilsport as Rawalpindi gears up for a double-header today. Apart from Peshawar Zalmi vs Lahore Qalandars, Islamabad United vs Quetta Gladiators will also be played at Pindi Cricket Stadium.
There was heavy downpour in Rawalpindi and Islamabad yesterday as well.
Meanwhile, one of the Met Office officials when approached said: “Chances of rain with thunderstorms are likely for Saturday. Rain could pour in at any time during the next two days. Saturday could be the worst hit day.”
Pindi Stadium always provides a packed house when it comes to international matches or PSL engagements. Crowd presence here always makes the occasion festive and worth remembering at the venue. Around ten thousand temporary chairs have been installed at the Stadium for the nine matches which the Stadium will host during the next ten days.
Two of the highest totals — Multan Sultans scoring 262 against Quetta Gladiators and Quetta scoring 253 against Multan in the same match — in PSL history were scored at Pindi.
However, the PCB has decided to remove the "flat pitches" tag associated with the stadium this year as the cricketing body has instructed the curators to make pitches that would support bowlers as much as batters.
Faizan Lakhani Faizan Lakhani is Deputy Editor (Sports) at Geo News.
