RAWALPINDI: Both of the matches in the Rawalpindi leg of the HBL Pakistan Super League were called off before a ball was bowled due to heavy rain on Saturday.
The day game saw the defending champion Lahore Qalandars, led by Shaheen Shah Afridi, taking on the Babar Azam-captained Peshawar Zalmi. The night game included Shadab Khan’s Islamabad United taking on the Quetta Gladiators, skipped by Rilee Rossouw.
The Pindi Cricket Stadium was left drenched due to a significant downpour, which prevented any further play. As a result, both games were canceled, and each of the four teams received a point. Teams had been unable to hold any training sessions on Friday due to rain as well.
With 10 points from 5 victories and 1 loss, the Multan Sultans of Mohammad Rizwan are in first place in the six-team league. The Gladiators are only one point behind them with four victories, one defeat, and one tie. United is in second position with five points from six games (two wins, three loses, and one no-result), while Zalmi, in third place, has seven points from six games (three wins, two losses, and one no-result). With four points from five games—two wins, three losses—the Shan Masood-led Karachi Kings are ranked fifth, while the winless Qalandars are at the bottom with just one point, which they acquired on Saturday.
Despite the heavy rain that was predicted for Saturday, a number of spectators chose to attend the games. Sadly, though, they were unable to watch their favorite players in action.
Rain fell intermittently throughout the day.
Disappointed was Shahid Hussain, an ardent supporter of Zalmi who traveled from Peshawar to witness Babar’s willow work.
He remarked, “I came here on Thursday to watch this match, but rain washed away my plan,” and he would now remain an extra two days in Rawalpindi to watch the Monday encounter between Zalmi and United.
The Kings and Sultans will play on Sunday at the National Bank Stadium in Karachi. On Monday, United and Zalmi will play in Rawalpindi.
