Heavy rain and strong winds caused major disruption ahead of the Pakistan Super League clash between Islamabad United and Peshawar Zalmi at Gaddafi Stadium on Tuesday, with the toss delayed due to adverse weather conditions.
The situation at the venue quickly turned chaotic as powerful gusts made it extremely difficult for ground staff to manage the covers. In dramatic scenes, several members of the ground crew were nearly swept off their feet while attempting to secure the pitch. A few even lost balance and fell as the wind dragged the covers across the square.
The incident, captured on video, has since gone viral on social media. The footage shows ground staff struggling to hold down the covers amid heavy rain, with the wind repeatedly lifting and pulling them away. At one point, two members are seen tumbling to the ground while trying to prevent the covers from flying off.
Persistent rain has left the outfield soaked, with conditions far from ideal for play. With showers continuing and the pitch remaining under covers, there are growing concerns over whether a full match will be possible.
The toss for the seventh match of PSL 2026, originally scheduled for 6:30 PM PST, was delayed as heavy rain lashed the stadium just minutes before proceedings were set to begin. Ground staff rushed to cover the square before taking shelter, but the relentless weather has kept play at bay.
Both teams entered the contest with contrasting momentum. Islamabad United are looking to bounce back after a heavy defeat to Multan Sultans in their opener. Peshawar Zalmi, meanwhile, are high on confidence after successfully chasing down a 215-run target in their previous outing.
PSL SQUADS
Islamabad United: Shadab Khan (c), Salman Irshad, Andries Gous, Devon Conway, Faheem Ashraf, Mehran Mumtaz, Mark Chapman, Nisar Ahmed, Mir Hamza Sajjad, Sameen Gul, Sameer Minhas, Imad Wasim, Richard Gleeson, Haider Ali, Mohammad Hasnain, Dipendra Singh Airee, Mohammad Faiq, Mohsin Riaz, Chris Green and Mohammad Salman Mirza.
Peshawar Zalmi: Babar Azam (c), Sufiyan Muqeem, Abdul Samad, Ali Raza, Aaron Hardie, Aamir Jamal, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Haris, Khalid Usman, Abdul Subhan, Tanzid Hasan, Michael Bracewell, Kusal Mendis, Iftikhar Ahmed, Nahid Rana, Kashif Ali, Shahnawaz Dahani, Farhan Yousuf, Brian Bennett, Mohammad Basit and Shoriful Islam.
– Ends
Tune In
-1774981188495_d.png?w=218&resize=218,150&ssl=1 "IPL 2026: Shubman Gill reacts to loss against Punjab Kings")
