Pak-New Zealand Match Called Off Due To Rain

The opener of the five-match T20I series between Pakistan and New Zealand was abandoned due to rain at Pindi Stadium, Rawalpindi on Thursday

The opening match of the five-match T20I series between Pakistan and New Zealand met an unfortunate end as it was abandoned due to rain at Pindi Stadium, Rawalpindi on Thursday.

The toss, initially slated for 7 pm (PST), was delayed by half an hour due to persistent rain showers in Rawalpindi. Despite the inclement weather, New Zealand Skipper Michael Bracewell opted to bat first after winning the toss. However, with the match reduced to just five overs per side, play was halted after just two balls due to repeated showers in Rawalpindi, forcing the officials to call off the game.

The standout moment of the brief two-ball encounter was when Pakistani pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi showcased his brilliance by dismissing New Zealand’s Tim Robinson with an exceptional delivery on the second ball. Just as the Pakistani players were reveling in the wicket, the rain made its unwelcome return, prompting the umpires to call off the match.

In the midst of the action, Pakistan took the opportunity to present debut caps to three players: Usman Khan, Irfan Khan, and Abrar Ahmed, marking a significant milestone in their cricketing careers.

New Zealand made a notable addition to their squad by introducing Josh Clarkson, marking his debut appearance in the team.

The cricketing action at Pindi Stadium is set to continue with matches scheduled for Saturday and Sunday. Following this, Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium will host the remaining two matches 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 series ended in a draw at two-all in Pakistan, while New Zealand emerged victorious with a 4-1 series win earlier this year on their home turf.

Here are the squads for the upcoming matches:

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