LAHORE: A sudden dust storm and light rain brought an abrupt end to the HBL Pakistan Super League (PSL) match between Lahore Qalandars and Quetta Gladiators at the Gaddafi Stadium here on Thursday night, with no result declared.
Qalandars, powered by half-centuries from Mohammad Naeem and Abdullah Shafique, reached 111-3 in 11.3 overs before the weather intervened, leaving both teams to share the points.
Gladiators, opting to bowl after winning the toss, struck early through Khurram Shahzad, who sent Fakhar Zaman’s off-stump cartwheeling for a duck in the first over.
The pacer’s skillful in-swing and sharp movement set the tone, but Lahore’s Naeem and Abdullah counterattacked with flair. Naeem, under pressure after lean performances, unleashed a barrage of strokes, racing to 50 off 30 balls with three fours and four sixes. His audacious sixes off Mohammad Zeeshan and Abrar Ahmed, including a flicked maximum over fine leg and a slog-sweep over cow corner, showcased his intent.
Abdullah, equally elegant, notched an unbeaten 53 off 32 balls, laced with three fours and three sixes. His back-to-back sixes off Saud Shakeel in the ninth over, lofted effortlessly over the bowler’s head, underlined his class.
The duo’s 102-run second-wicket stand off 57 balls put Lahore on course for a formidable total, with the run rate hovering above 10. Their aggressive strokeplay exploited Quetta’s wayward bowling.
Quetta briefly clawed back thanks to Abrar Ahmed despite an expensive start, as the mystery spinner dismissed Naeem, caught by Hasan Nawaz at backward point, and later removed Daryl Mitchell, caught by Rilee Rossouw at long-off.
The match was halted in the 11th over when a fierce dust storm swept through Lahore, reducing visibility and sending fans scrambling for cover. Boundary cushions swayed, bags flew across the ground, and ground staff rushed to secure pitch covers as light rain followed.
The early monsoon weather, typical for Lahore in May, forced players off the field, and with conditions deteriorating, umpires called off the game as the teams shared points, leaving play-off hopes intact, but unresolved for either.
Published in Dawn, May 2nd, 2025
