Punjab Kings vs Delhi Capitals Match Abandoned Amid Security Concerns

Match Cancellation Due to Security Threats

The recent match between Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals was abruptly halted, prompting the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to arrange special trains for players and staff, including the broadcast team. These trains are set to depart from Una, located near the Dharamshala stadium. This decision came after a terrorist attack occurred in Pathankot, approximately 85 kilometers from the Himachal Pradesh venue, leading to the shutdown of some floodlights.

Spectators were urgently instructed to leave the stands, with IPL president Arun Dhumal visibly urging fans to evacuate swiftly. Fortunately, the players were escorted to safety before the lights were completely turned off. BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla later commented on the situation, stating that it was inappropriate to proceed with the match under such circumstances. He voiced his worries about the tournament's future, saying,

"We are organising a special train from close to Dharamsala to bring everybody home safely. As of now the match has been called off and the stadium has been evacuated. We will take a call on the tournament's future depending on the situation tomorrow. As of now, players' safety is utmost important. The match couldn't have continued tonight because of the situation. It wasn't safe."

The players have safely returned to their hotels, but no further updates have been provided. Following the cross-border tensions, 27 airports have been shut down due to heightened security alerts, and several regions in Jammu and Kashmir, Rajasthan, and Punjab are experiencing power outages.

Regarding the match itself, Punjab Kings won the toss and opted to bat first. They took advantage of the damp outfield, with Priyank Arya and Prabhsimran Singh scoring a combined total of 122 runs in just 10.1 overs. However, the match was ultimately abandoned after Priyansh Arya lost his wicket on the final ball, with the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association citing an electrical issue as the reason for the cancellation.