Pakistan vs New Zealand 4th T20I: Hailstorm strikes Rawalpindi, Pindi Stadium transforms into white carpet

Pakistan vs New Zealand came to a halt midway through the fourth T20I as a hailstorm interrupted play at the Pindi Cricket Stadium in Rawalpindi on Thursday, as per weather report. The hailstorm was quite unexpected as it came during the summer season in Pakistan.

The Stadium appeared all white as the hailstorm arrived around 11:00 PM local time (11:30 PM IST) as the entire ground appeared white covered with hail or white ice pellets. The brave groundsmen, who came to put the cover, had to duck under the cover. Spectators were seen ducking for covers too as everyone crowded the covered stands.

The rain arrived right after Pakistan pacer Haris Rauf dismissed Rachin Ravindra in the 19th over of the New Zealand innings. The visitors were sent to bat first by Pakistan captain Babar Azam and the Kiwis put 164/5 in 18.5 overs before the abrupt break.

New Zealand, playing with a depleted squad due to players' unavailability for IPL 2023, suffered a batting collapse before Chad Bowes and middle-order batter Mark Chapman scored half-centuries. The Tom Latham-led side was down at 54/3 before Bowes and Chapman had a crucial fifty-run stand for the fourth wicket.

Bowes, who shot seven fours and a six during his 38-ball stay, was out after scoring 54 to Imad Wasim in the 14th over. Chapman then continued the good work with Rachin Ravindra. The latter preferred being the silent partner while Chapman went after Pakistan bowlers to take the Kiwi score past 160.

Imad was the pick among the bowlers with three wickets for 19 while Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf dismissed one Kiwi batter each. Skipper Latham scored 13 while Will Young and Daryl Mitchell six and three runs each.

Pakistan earlier took a 2-0 lead in the five-match T20 series after the visitors pulled one back to keep themselves alive. The first three matches were played at Lahore's Gadaffi Stadium.