The much-anticipated opening clash of the T20 series between Pakistan and New Zealand turned out to be a damp affair as persistent showers played spoilsport, ultimately forcing the match to be called off after just two balls were bowled.
The clash, scheduled at the Pindi Cricket Stadium, saw a brief glimmer of action when the players returned to the field for what was expected to be a shortened five-over encounter per side.
However, Shaheen Afridi, spearheading Pakistan's bowling attack, quickly made his presence felt by shattering the stumps of Tim Robinson with a searing inswinging delivery.
Yet, before the excitement could truly unfold, the rain clouds loomed large once again, sending the players scuttling back to the pavilion and dashing the hopes of cricket enthusiasts eagerly anticipating a thrilling showdown between the two cricketing giants.
The decision to call off the match came from the umpires as the relentless rain showed no signs of abating, leaving both teams and fans disappointed at the abrupt halt to proceedings.
Earlier, New Zealand's skipper Michael Bracewell won the toss and elected to bat first, hoping to set a challenging total for the hosts. However, fate had other plans as the inclement weather intervened, robbing both sides of a fair opportunity to showcase their skills on the field.
The toss, originally scheduled for 7:00 pm (PST), was postponed by half an hour due to the persistent rain showers in Rawalpindi. Upon winning the toss, New Zealand captain Michael Bracewell opted to bat first, setting the stage for an exciting encounter.
Debutants galore
In a significant moment for Pakistan cricket, three players - Usman Khan, Irfan Khan Niazi, and Abrar Ahmed - were awarded debut caps for today's match, adding a fresh dynamic to the team lineup. Meanwhile, New Zealand introduced Josh Clarkson to their squad, marking his debut appearance.
Weather update
The Weather Channel has predicted an 80 per cent chance of rain during the match, raising concerns about the match's viability. With the weather playing a significant role, both teams will have to remain vigilant and adaptable to the conditions.
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
