Storm steals the show as Qalandars, Gladiators clash ends without result

The crucial HBL PSL X match between Lahore Qalandars and Quetta Gladiators was called off due to a heavy storm and rain at Gaddafi Stadium on Thursday night. Both teams were awarded one point each.

The game was interrupted at 8:57 p.m. when a dust storm swept through the ground, severely reducing visibility. At the time of suspension, Lahore Qalandars were 111 for 3 in 11.3 overs.

The interruption came shortly after Daryl Mitchell was dismissed for three in the 12th over. Ground staff quickly covered the pitch, anticipating rain. They managed to protect the square, which includes multiple pitches.

Abdullah Shafique was unbeaten on a blazing 53 off 32 balls, having struck three sixes and three fours in his fluent innings.

Earlier, Fakhar Zaman was clean-bowled for a duck by Khurram Shahzad, who delivered a sharp ball that cut in. Following the early loss, Abdullah and Mohammad Naeem steadied the innings with a 102-run partnership off 57 balls for the second wicket.

Their stroke-filled stand kept pressure on the Gladiators. Naeem, dropped once by Hasan Nawaz off Mohammad Wasim Jr., scored a brisk 40 off 30 balls, including four sixes and three fours. His maiden T20 fifty came off 28 deliveries.

Leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed broke the stand, dismissing Naeem with a top-edged shot caught by Nawaz at short fine leg. Abrar later removed Mitchell, finishing with figures of 2 for 23 in 2.3 overs. Shahzad ended with 1 for 12 in two overs.

As light rain turned into a thunderstorm, play could not resume, and officials called off the match.

With the single point, both Lahore and Quetta now have nine points each. Qalandars have played eight matches, while this was Quetta’s seventh.

Islamabad United top the table with 10 points from six matches. They are followed by Lahore Qalandars (9), Quetta Gladiators (9), Karachi Kings (8), Peshawar Zalmi (4), and Multan Sultans (2). Multan has been eliminated from the playoff race after playing eight games.

Peshawar Zalmi will face Islamabad United at the same venue on Friday.