PBKS-DC IPL match in Dharamsala called off midway amid security concerns; ‘significant technical failure’ says BCCI

The escalating tensions between India and Pakistan has affected the ongoing season of the Indian Premier League with Thursday’s match between Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals in Dharamsala getting called off abruptly, reportedly due to security concerns.

The hill station in the state of Himachal Pradesh isn’t very far from Jammu and Kashmir, which currently is being targeted by the Pakistan armed forces in retaliation for ‘ Operation Sindoor’, with blackouts being enforced across several parts of northern and western India.

While PBKS’ next ‘home’ game against Mumbai Indians on 11 May has been moved to Ahmedabad from Dharamsala due to security concerns, the BCCI decided to go ahead with Thursday’s match at the HPCA Stadium.

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BCCI cites ‘significant technical failure’

The board has since cited “significant technical failure” as the official reason for the match getting called off, making no mention of the cross-border firing that is currently taking place.

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“Due to a power outage in the area, one of the light towers at the HPCA stadium malfunctioned. BCCI regrets the inconvenience caused to the in-stadium attendees,” read an official statement from the board.

PBKS had raced to 122/1 around the halfway mark in their innings after skipper Shreyas Iyer opted to bat when a floodlight went off at the venue, with others going dark not long after. Openers Priyansh Arya (70 off 34 balls) and Prabhsimran Singh (50 not out off 28 balls) were going all guns blazing when the former was dismissed in the first delivery of the 11th over.

Captain Iyer had just made his way to the centre when the floodlights started to lose power, with just one left functioning. And shortly after the stoppage in play, official word came in of the game being called off.

The match was off to a delayed start earlier in the evening due to rain, with the toss taking place at 8.15 pm IST and play getting underway 15 minutes later.