Ahsan Raza (Pakistan), Aleem Dar (Pakistan), Faisal Afridi (Pakistan, TV)
Referee
Andy Pycroft (Zimbabwe)
Toss
New Zealand elected to bat
Player of the Match
Player of the Series
Lucky Winner
Analysis
Weather Update
Rawalpindi,Pakistan
Updated: 18 Apr 22:30
19.1°CRain
moderate rain
100%
Clouds
76%
Rain %
75%
Humidity
4.9 kmph
Wind
Commentary
COMMENTARY NOT AVAILABLE
The commentary is not available for this match. Please check the scorecard for latest updates.
It is time to wave you goodbye! It was the pair of Darpan Tikiya and Pradeep bringing you the updates of the action and the lack of it. Stay tuned to Sportskeeda, where we bring you cricket and much more from around the world. Take care.
The first T20I has been abandoned due to rain.
New Zealand 2/1 (0.2 overs)
Well, sometimes desiderium ends in disappointment. That's life. First, we had a delayed toss. Then, it started raining as soon as the first ball was about to be bowled.
The rain did stop eventually, but the ground staff took over an hour to get the field ready. Once they did, we had two balls and it started pouring down again leaving the umpires with no choice.
The fans that gathered at the stadium would go home with mixed feelings. The pessimists would be grumpy about the fact that they had to wait so much and the match still didn't happen. The optimists, however, would feel great about the fact that they got to witness a Shaheen special which castled the stumps of Tim Robinson.
We at Sportskeeda hope that you cherished the fact that we brought you the fastest updates. Even though they weren't exactly good news all the time. But it is out job to serve our patrons and we take great pride in it.
Alas, the rain is back! The players shake hands as we have used up every bit of extra time that was available. It will be a no-result to get us started in this 5 match T20I series.
New batter Mark Chapman, LHB, marks his guard now.
An absolute jaffa' from Afridi and the crowd erupts! Not the kind of ball you want to face on debut. Swung back in considerably. Robinson has to go.
0.2 Shaheen Afridi to Tim Robinson, OUT! CLEANED HIM UP! Typical Shaheen's in-ducker. Back of a length, nips back in sharply. Robinson has a wild swing across the line and misses, rattles the stumps. New Zealand lose an early wicket.
Tim Robinson b Shaheen Afridi 0 (2b, 0x4, 0x6)
0.1 Shaheen Afridi to Tim Robinson, OH! Slightly wayward start. Full and spraying on the pads. Robinson misses the whip, deflects off the pads and Rizwan diving to his left, gets a hand to it and they pick up a couple of leg-byes.
Out come the two Tims: Tim Robinson, RHB, and Tim Siefert, RHB. They will have to deal with Shaheen Afridi, left arm medium fast, who would enjoy these conditions.
Revised playing conditions:-
- 5 overs per innings - First two overs will constitute the powerplay - 2 bowlers can bowl 2 overs each
Wonder if that will make Michael Bracewell and the Blackcaps question their decision at the toss?
Here is the official confirmation:-
22:18 local time (22:38 IST): Update: It will be a 5-overs per side contest.
The announcer at the ground has just made the announcement that this would be 5 overs a side game. However, we still haven't heard from the broadcasters or the official PCB handle.
21:50 local time (22:20 IST): Update: We are not far from the point of resumption now.
The covers have largely come off and the super soppers are doing their work. The skies are clear and the umpires are having a word with Babar Azam it seems. There is no official word on anything yet though.
21:35 local time (22:05 IST): Update: Covers are coming off.
There are 4 big covers concealing the pitch and the square. One of them has now been dragged all the way to the boundary. The umpires are also in the middle inspecting the conditions.
If the match doesn't start until 22:10 local time (22:40 IST), the game will be called off. Though with the rain having eased out, there is a good chance that we would have a shortened game.
21:10 local time (21:40 IST): Update: Rain has stopped.
Yes, it is not pouring down anymore. And the crowd has stayed back too. They are enjoying the music playing on the ground and are pretty loud. However, the covers are still on and we have no official word on when the next inspection is going to be.
20:48 local time (21:18 IST): Update: Still raining.
The rain seemed to stop for a few moments in between and started coming down again. It is a lot lighter than earlier though.
20:22 local time (20:52 IST): Not great news, folks! Still raining. It has only gotten heavier.
Video
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B Azam
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Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium
