F.P. Report
RAWALPINDI: The rain played spoilsport Thursday as Pakistan and New Zealand’s first Twenty20 International of five-match series was abandoned after just two balls at Pindi Cricket Stadium in Rawalpindi.
The match originally scheduled to start at 7:30 pm could last only two balls after it began at 10:17 pm after a lengthy delay due to showers and subsequent wet outfield.
Shaheen Shaha Afridi quickly removed Kiwi opener Tim Robinson on the second ball of the match after conceding two leg byes on the first ball. However, the match again halted as the rains started pouring again and the umpires had no option other than to call off the match as there was no possibility to complete five-over a side match.
Earlier, New Zealand won the toss and elected to bat first.
Pakistan gave T20 debut to three newcomers including Usman Khan, Irfan Khan and Abrar Ahmad. The match will see the return of Mohammad Amir as well after he took back his retirement while Imad Wasim was left to wait more for his international comeback.
Babar said in overcast conditions he was happy to chase and said the first six overs would be crucial.
Typically, Pindi stadium pitch looks hard and will offer good bounce and this venue has always been a high-scoring venue in T20 cricket.
Pakistan enteedr the match with a dream pace attack in the shape of Shaheen Afridi, Naeem Shah and Amir with ample spin options including Shadab Khan, Abrar, Iftikhar Ahmed and Saim Ayub.
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
