Pakistani fans quickly turned their frustration toward the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) after a floodlight malfunction caused a nearly 30-minute stoppage during the second ODI between India and England at Cuttack’s Barabati Stadium on Sunday.
The issue began in the sixth over, with the floodlights in one of the stands flickering intermittently, briefly halting play while India’s openers, Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill, were at the crease. Despite the disruption, the game resumed with Gus Atkinson completing his over. However, when the lights went out completely after Saqib Mahmood bowled the first ball of the seventh over, players from both teams gathered for a discussion with the on-field umpire before heading to their dugouts.
This disruption in Cuttack came on the heels of a social media backlash directed at the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), following the injury of New Zealand’s Rachin Ravindra during the Tri-Nation series. Ravindra, fielding at deep square leg, was struck on the forehead when he lost sight of the ball due to the glare of the newly installed floodlights at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium. Many speculated that the brightness of the lights had caused Ravindra to misjudge the ball.
Among those attributing the accident to the floodlights was former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif. Speaking on the show ‘Caught Behind’, Latif explained, “The glow is more in such lights. Hence, when the ball travels flat, you are often unable to see it.”
Pakistani fans’ anger was compounded by their perception that the PCB had not properly addressed these issues, which led to criticisms over the newly installed lighting. The incident also brought attention to Gaddafi Stadium, one of the venues selected for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy.
Here’s how fans reacted:
.@MohsinnaqviC42, please donate some money to @BCCI—they can’t afford new floodlights. Or maybe send them some Chinese floodlights like the ones we’re using at Gaddafi Stadium.#INDvENG
— The PCT Army.???????? (@thepctarmy0) February 9, 2025
This is world richest Cricket Board.. Embarrassing situation for BCCI. Yesterday they were criticising Gaddafi floodlights and today there Floodlights gone black.. Shame on this double standard #INDvENG #ENGvIND pic.twitter.com/JaYYp8cc4H
— Shakeel Khan Khattak (@ShakeelktkKhan) February 9, 2025
Pcb can donate old floodlights to bcci
— قلندر شریف (@WishMaster_0) February 9, 2025
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