India, Dec. 17 -- A thick layer of smog blanketed some areas in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, on Wednesday, as three monitoring stations in the city recorded an Air Quality Index (AQI) above 200.

The haze also led to a delay in the toss ahead of the cricket match between India and South Africa at the Ekana stadium in the city.

The average AQI in the city, as of 7:45 pm on Wednesday, was recorded at 174 i.e. in the 'moderate' category, according to data from the Central Pollution Control Board. Three of the six monitoring stations - Kendriya Vidyalaya, Lalbagh, and Talkatora District Industries Center - witnessed 'poor' air quality.

Talkatora District Industries Center recorded the worst air quality with an AQI reading of 259, while the monit...