Rawalpindi, April 18, 2024 – The much-anticipated opening match of the five-match T20I series between Pakistan and New Zealand was thwarted by relentless rain at Pindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi on Thursday.
The toss, originally scheduled for 7 pm (PST), faced a half-hour delay due to continuous showers in Rawalpindi.
Despite the inclement weather, New Zealand Skipper Michael Bracewell won the toss and elected to bat first. However, the match, which was reduced to a mere five overs per side, saw only two balls bowled before being called off due to persistent rain showers.
Pakistani pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi made a stunning impact by dismissing New Zealand’s Tim Robinson on the second ball with an exceptional delivery. However, as the Pakistani players were in jubilation, the rain returned, forcing the umpires to abandon the match.
In a gesture of new beginnings, Pakistan handed debut caps to three players – Usman Khan, Irfan Khan, and Abrar Ahmed. Meanwhile, New Zealand introduced Josh Clarkson to their squad, marking his debut appearance.
The disappointment of the abandoned match was palpable among players and fans alike, eagerly awaiting the showdown between the two cricketing powerhouses. With the series opener washed out, attention now turns to the remaining matches scheduled at Pindi Stadium over the weekend, followed by two matches slated to be held at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium on Thursday and Saturday next week.
This series marks the third five-match encounter between Pakistan and New Zealand within a 12-month period. Last year, the teams battled to a draw at two-all in Pakistan, while earlier this year, New Zealand emerged victorious with a 4-1 series win on their home turf.
As the teams regroup and prepare for the upcoming matches, the focus shifts to adapting to the unpredictable weather conditions and delivering captivating cricketing performances for fans worldwide.
Squads:
Pakistan: Babar Azam (c), Saim Ayub, Mohammad Rizwan, Usman Khan, Iftikhar Ahmed, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, Mohammad Amir, Abrar Ahmed.
New Zealand: Michael Bracewell (c), Mark Chapman, Josh Clarkson, Jacob Duffy, Dean Foxcroft, Ben Lister, James Neesham, Tim Robinson, Ben Sears, Tim Seifert (wk), Ish Sodhi.
As the series progresses, both teams will be aiming to overcome the obstacles posed by weather disruptions and showcase their prowess on the field, vying for supremacy in the thrilling world of T20 cricket.
