5 Bizarre Moments When a Cricket Match is Called Off

Since the beginning of cricket in the late 1800s, several matches have been abandoned due to poor weather. There have been plenty of memorable moments on the cricket field, and the game never fails to entertain. When matches are delayed by unforeseen factors like rain or bad light, it can be frustrating, particularly since most other sports don't face similar restrictions.

On several occasions, the wet outfield has prevented a match from starting. Nevertheless, the match has been abandoned due to unusual moments like some pitch issues and crowd invasions. Meanwhile, there have been many unusual cricket interruptions in cricket matches. Even extreme fog has been the reason to call off the match.

5 Bizarre Moments When a Cricket Match is Called Off

A cricket game can be delayed because of several natural factors, such as rain or poor lighting. Other cricket matches have been delayed or there has been unusual moments to cancel cricket match. Meanwhile some of the unusual cricket interruptions have long stayed in the minds of cricket fans. Hence, on that note, we look at such five bizarre moments to call off cricket match.

1. IND vs SA 4th T20I Match Called Off Due to Fog

It is a recent incident of On 17th Dec 2025, IND vs SA 4th T20I was abandoned without a toss due to dense fog over the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow. The match was called off due to blocked visibility.

On-field umpires scheduled six inspections, which lasted over three hours. Huge crowds of fans waited patiently, only to return home disappointed. The fog was so thick that at one point in the evening, the stands could not see the centre of the pitch, leading to the match being called off.

2. PAK vs ZIM Test Match Abandoned Due to Fog (1988)

The IND vs SA 4th T20I game is not the only international game that has been abandoned due to fog. In December 1998, the third Test match between Pakistan and Zimbabwe was abandoned for the same reason. Faisalabad stadium, which was one of the premier cricket stadiums in Pakistan at that time, was covered under thick fog. The visibility was so poor that players had difficulty taking the field, and this became a bizarre moment to call off the cricket match.

3. Hole in Pitch in WBBL (2025)

Due to a hole in the pitch, the Adelaide Strikers vs Hobart Hurricanes WBBL game at Karen Rolton Oval in Adelaide was called off on December 5, 2025. During the innings break, the heavy roller unintentionally rolled a stray cricket ball onto the wicket, which resulted in the strange situation. However, it became impossible to repair the surface after the incident, which resulted in the match being abandoned.

4. Fans Set Stands on Fire (1996)

The crowd at Kolkata's Eden Gardens went crazy just as the Men in Blue were about to lose a big game. It was the first semi-final of ICC World Cup 1996 and the game was essentially stopped when the fans started to throw water bottles into the ground.

Following India's humiliating elimination from the World Cup, the mob even set the stadium chairs on fire at the oldest cricket stadium in India. Hence, the game resulted in getting called off and Sri Lanka won the game for being ahead in the situation on DLS method. This became one of the unusual moments when cricket match is called off in World Cup history.

5. Poor Pitch Leads to Match Being Called Off (2009)

It happened during the bilateral series going on between India and Sri Lanka in 2009. Shortly after it was determined that the pitch was unfit for play, the game was cancelled. After batting first, Sri Lanka was reduced to 83-5 in 23.2 overs.

Nevertheless, the match authorities had to call off the game. The surface was quite dangerous, and when the ball rose off the length, many Lankan hitters were hurt. In particular, Sanath Jayasuriya and Tillakaratne Dilshan were repeatedly struck on their arms.