Rain has the last laugh as opening Super Eight tie between Pakistan and Kiwis called off

It turned out to be wet start to the Super Eight contests in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup as the opening fixture between Pakistan and New Zealand was called off because of rain in Colombo on Saturday night.

The teams will share a point each.

Pakistan captain Salman Agha had elected to bat first, but the covers came on soon after the toss.

The officials waited over two hours from the official start time for an improvement in the weather conditions, but the steady drizzle that began at the toss only grew heavier and never quite relented.

With puddles forming on the covers and the overhead conditions no closer to improving, the umpires made the inevitable call.

Pakistan had left Khawaja Nafay out and brought in Fakhar Zaman, while New Zealand made three changes, including welcoming their captain Mitchell Santner back into the XI.

Both teams got off the mark in the Super Eight but are left with little room for error. Pakistan and New Zealand are in Group 2, along with England and co-hosts Sri Lanka. All the Group 2 matches will be played in Sri Lanka.

Pakistan will play England next on Tuesday and Sri Lanka a week later, while New Zealand take on Sri Lanka on Wednesday and England on Friday.