The match had to be stopped after just one inningsImage Credit source: SA20

These days the cricket season is progressing at full speed in South Africa. On one hand, Under-19 ODI series has been played between India and South Africa, while on the other hand, the excitement of T20 league SA20 is also being seen. Although most of the matches in this league are being completed and exciting games are also being seen, but on Thursday one match had to be stopped midway and then it was cancelled. This match between Joburg Super Kings and Paarl Royals was canceled after just one innings and the reason for this was not the usual things like rain or storm, but lightning.

Sky disaster came as soon as the first innings ended

In this match played in Johannesburg on 8 January, the host Joburg Super Kings batted first. This team scored a strong score of 187 runs after losing 6 wickets in 20 overs. For Joburg, English opener James Vince played an excellent inning of 75 runs in just 43 balls. Apart from him, captain Faf Du Plessis also scored 39 runs, on the basis of which the team was able to reach this score. But before Paarl Royals' run chase could begin, lightning started flashing on the field during the innings break.

𝐌𝐀𝐓𝐂𝐇 𝐀𝐁𝐀𝐍𝐃𝐎𝐍𝐄𝐃 😢

Unfortunately, #JSKvPR has been abandoned due to inclement weather

It's a letdown for everyone, but with more than 7 full overs being played, no refunds will be issued. #BetwaySA20 #WelcomeToIncredible pic.twitter.com/YfkSVC35hK

— Betway SA20 (@SA20_League) January 8, 2026

The organizers also issued a warning to the spectators on the screen present in the Wanderers Stadium that the match has been stopped due to lightning and everyone should move to safe places. Besides, the spectators were also instructed not to stay in open areas. The players and umpires sitting in the dressing room did not come on the field after the end of the first innings. But when the situation did not improve, the umpires decided to cancel the match there and then. Due to this, both the teams got equal points.

This also happened during India's Under-19 match

However, this is not the first time in recent times that matches in South Africa have been affected due to lightning. Earlier, the same thing had happened in the India-South Africa Under-19 ODI series. During the first and second matches of the series, the match had to be stopped midway due to lightning. However, it was an ODI match and hence the matches could start after some time, which was won by the Indian team under the captaincy of Vaibhav Suryavanshi. But this shows that this time sometimes proves difficult for cricket in South Africa.