Rain forces washout in New Zealand-Pakistan T20 World Cup match

New Zealand and Pakistan shared a point after their opening T20 World Cup Group 2 Super Eights match in Pallekele, Sri Lanka, was abandoned due to incessant rain. Both teams now face crucial upcoming matches against England and Sri Lanka

Pallekele (Sri Lanka): New Zealand and Pakistan shared a point after incessant rain forced the abandonment of the opening T20 World Cup Group 2 Super Eights match here on Saturday.

Amid a light drizzle, Pakistan won the toss and elected to bat first.

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But the steady droplets soon turned into relentless pouring, forcing officials to call off the match without a ball being bowled.

Before the rain intensified, Pakistan made one change to their eleven, bringing in Fakhar Zaman in place of Khawaja Nafay.

New Zealand made three changes, with skipper Mitchell Santner returning after missing the last match against Canada due to a stomach issue. Lockie Ferguson and Ish Sodhi also found a place in the XI.

All those plans and combinations will have to wait for another day, as Pakistan will now face England here on February 24.

New Zealand will travel to Colombo to face home side Sri Lanka on February 25.

The washout has also put both New Zealand and Pakistan in a tighter spot ahead of their remaining two Super Eights matches.

A similar result in any of the next matches, a possibility considering Sri Lanka’s weather pattern, or a defeat could put their semifinal ambitions in serious jeopardy.