NEW DELHI: In an unfortunate turn of events,
Pakistan cricket
team’s fans were forced to take shelter under big plastic sheets at the Pindi Cricket Stadium as rain delayed the start of the first T20 international against New Zealand on Thursday.
With no roof covering the stands inside the stadium and rain pouring down heavily, the fans were seen taking cover under big plastic sheets.
The video and images of the scenes went instantly viral on social media and fans came down heavily at the Pakistan Cricket Board for their blatant neglect towards the spectators.
(AP Photo)
As seats inside the stadium, most of which are made of cloth material, got drenched in the rain, the experience went further sideways for the fans.
(AFP photo)
Pakistan is set to host the ICC
Champions Trophy
next year and these images come as a major embarrassment for the cricket board.
Before rain lashed the Pindi Stadium, New Zealand skipper Michael Bracewell won the toss and opted to bat first.
Pakistan fast bowler Mohammad Amir is making a return to international cricket from an absence of almost four years. The 32-year-old retired in December 2020 after being dropped from the side but changed his mind last month and decided to restart his career, which had also been stalled by a match-fixing ban in 2010.
Pakistan also handed T20I debuts to batter Usman Khan, spinner Abrar Ahmed and allrounder Muhammad Irfan Khan to gauge their bench strength ahead of June's World Cup in the United States and the West Indies.
New Zealand, missing nine players due to the Indian Premier League, handed a T20I debut to batter Tim Robinson.
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