The ICC T20 World Cup has escalated to the Super 8 phase, but its inaugural match was swept away by the rain. On a rainy Saturday in Colombo, the bout between Pakistan and New Zealand didn't even get started due to heavy showers. Only the toss was conducted, with Pakistan winning and opting to bat first. However, persistent heavy rainfall stalled the match, which ultimately led to its cancellation.
As a consequence, both teams have been awarded 1 point each. This cancellation may impact both teams' standings, as each is keen to secure as many victories as possible in their total of three Super 8 matches. If future match scenarios become complex, this rain-affected decision might disadvantage the teams.
New Zealand (Playing XI):
Tim Seifert, Finn Allen, Rachin Ravindra, Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, Mitchell Santner (captain), James Neesham, Matt Henry, Ish Sodhi, Lockie Ferguson.
Pakistan (Playing XI):
Sahibzada Farhan, Same Ayub, Salman Agha (captain), Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Usman Khan (wicketkeeper), Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Salman Mirza, Usman Tarik.
What's Next
Pakistan's subsequent match is against England on February 24, and their final Super 8 game is against Sri Lanka on February 28, both of which are formidable teams in great form. The rain could prove to be a significant challenge for Pakistan.
Meanwhile, for New Zealand, their next encounter is with Sri Lanka on February 25, followed by their last Super 8 match against England on February 27. Time will reveal how both teams navigate their journey forward.
