LUCKNOW – The cricket fans demanded refunds from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) after the fourth T20 International between India and South Africa was abandoned due to poor visibility caused by dense fog in Lucknow.
According to media reports, match officials conducted six inspections but were unable to proceed, and the game was called off without even a toss because of extremely low visibility.
Following the abandonment, spectators expressed anger and frustration, calling for a refund of their ticket money. One fan said he had sold three sacks of wheat to afford the trip to watch the match and demanded his money back.
Another spectator remarked that the match should have been scheduled during daytime, adding that fans had come to watch cricket and the abandonment made the expense meaningless.
Indian media, however, attributed the cancellation to smog rather than fog and strongly criticised the government over deteriorating air quality. Reports said the scheduling of T20 matches was flawed, arguing that games should not have been organised in such regions during the winter season. It was noted that players were seen wearing masks at the ground and the Air Quality Index (AQI) had reportedly reached 400.
The social media users also slammed the Indian cricket board, blaming the Lucknow venue and severe smog for the abandonment of the match.
