The Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2026 has already seen heavy fines and ball-tampering bans but nature, perhaps, provided the most dramatic visual yet. Ahead of the clash between Islamabad United and Peshawar Zalmi, the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore turned into a literal battleground against the elements.
As heavy rains lashed Lahore, the groundstaff rushed to protect the pitch. However, a massive gust of wind turned the heavy plastic covers into a giant sail. In the process, one groundsman, who was attempting to anchor the corner of the sheet, was lifted off his feet as the cover billowed upward.
Watch the viral video here:
🚨WATCH — 🇵🇰 Strong winds in Lahore during PSL blow away pitch covers, even knocking groundsmen off their feet
— NewsMatrix (@PabanSingh82441) March 31, 2026
Bad weather lays bare Pakistan’s poor cricket infrastructure.#PSL #Lahore #Pakistan pic.twitter.com/ULCTUzSarz
Unable to fight the heavy force of the wind, a viral video saw him losing his footing and tumbling across the grass as the cover was ripped from his hands, flying across the square with immense force.
While the groundsman reportedly escaped with only minor bruises and a wounded ego, the video has joined a growing list of bizarre moments for the 2026 season.
Match abandoned without a ball bowled
As it turned out, match number 7 of the 44 T20 tournament was abandoned without a ball being bowled. That meant the teams were forced to share a point each. As things stand, Karachi Kings remain at the top of the PSL 2026 points table with 2 wins from two matches, implying 4 points. Peshawar Zalmi, meanwhile, are at the second place with 3 points.
Squads
Islamabad United: Shadab Khan (c), Salman Irshad, Andries Gous, Devon Conway, Faheem Ashraf, Mehran Mumtaz, Chris Green, Mark Chapman, Nisar Ahmed, Mir Hamza Sajjad, Sameen Gul, Sameer Minhas, Imad Wasim, Richard Gleeson, Haider Ali, Mohammad Hasnain, Dipendra Singh Airee, Mohammad Faiq, Mohammad Salman Mirza, Mohsin Raza.
Peshawar Zalmi: Babar Azam (c), Sufyan Moqim, Abdul Samad, Ali Raza, Aaron Hardie, Aamir Jamal, Khurram Shahzad, Khalid Usman, Mohammad Haris, Abdul Subhan, James Vince, Michael Bracewell, Kusal Mendis, Iftikhar Ahmed, Nahid Rana, Mirza Tahir Baig, Kashif Ali, Shahnawaz Dahani, Farhan Yousuf, Shoriful Islam, Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Brian Bennett.