Pakistan vs New Zealand: first T20 international cricket – as it happened
All our updates as Pakistan vs New Zealand was washed out after two balls in the first T20 of the series in Rawalpindi.
This page is now closed. Thanks for joining us. These were the updates as Pakistan and New Zealand’s T20 was rained off after two ball in Rawalpindi on Thursday, April 18:
This page is now closed. Thanks for joining us. These were the updates as Pakistan and New Zealand’s T20 was rained off after two ball in Rawalpindi on Thursday, April 18:
- Pakistan and New Zealand settle for a draw in Rawalpindi as the first match of their T20 international series is washed out.
- Only two balls were possible of the New Zealand innings with Shaheen Shah Afridi removing Tim Robinson for a duck.
- The sides will face each other five times in the series as they continue their warm-up to the T20 World Cup.
- New Zealand won the five-match series between the two sides that they hosted in January 4-1.
- Pakistan lost the first four matches but claimed victory by 42 runs in the final match against a much changed Kiwi side.
- The 2024 T20 World Cup will be held in the United States and the Caribbean in June.
Goodbye for now!
The rain ruined this first T20 international, but don’t despair. Pakistan and New Zealand have four more matches to come, so we have plenty of cricket to look forward to.
Thanks for sticking with me throughout the numerous delays.
Be sure to stay with Al Jazeera Sport for continued coverage of this series and plenty of other sport.
Goodbye!
Match abandoned
That’s it then. There will be no more play in this match.
It was a superb effort from the ground staff and the fans, but in the end, only two balls were possible.
They’ll try again in Rawalpindi on Saturday for the second match of this T20I series.
The action lasted just two balls 🏏
Despite tremendous work from the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium groundstaff, rain had the final say 🌧️#PAKvNZ | #AaTenuMatchDikhawan pic.twitter.com/ikN7dckEMD
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) April 18, 2024
The rain returns!
You couldn’t make it up. The rain is back, and the players are heading off.
That will surely be it for tonight. What a shame for those fans who have hung around all evening.
At least they got to see a peach of a delivery from Afridi with the pace bowler finding the top of middle stump for that wicket.
Wicket! Afridi bowls Robinson! New Zealand 2-1
We are finally under way in Rawalpindi!
Shaheen Afridi steams in, taking on the debutant Robinson. And it only takes him two balls to get a wicket, taking out Robinson’s stumps with ease.
Expect fireworks
With only five overs to play with, I’d imagine we might see some big hitting here.
The players and umpires are heading out to the middle. Kudos to the ground staff for getting this game back on.
A 5-over affair
We will get some cricket tonight!
🚨 UPDATE 🚨
We're all set for a 5️⃣ overs a side match! The contest will begin at 10:17 PM local time 🏏#PAKvNZ | #AaTenuMatchDikhawan pic.twitter.com/5mY7Olfysk
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) April 18, 2024
The rollers are out
More promising signs, with the ground staff working overtime to get the field ready for play.
It’s just past 10pm in Rawalpindi, but we might still see some cricket tonight.
Rollers are drying the outfield.#PAKvsNZ | #PAKvNZ pic.twitter.com/KK7375l4ZF
— Shami Khan (@Shami_hun_) April 18, 2024
📸 Snapshots from Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium 🏟️#PAKvNZ | #AaTenuMatchDikhawan pic.twitter.com/mjEXEwymAD
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) April 18, 2024
Ahmed aiming for T20I success
Abrar Ahmed will be hoping for some play in this match as he is due to make his T20 International debut for Pakistan.
The 25-year-old spinner has appeared on the world stage already, making his debut against England in the 2022 test series against England.
He memorably made a seven-wicket haul in his first test innings.
Spinner on the Rise – Abrar Ahmed Makes his T20I Debut 🌟#AaTenuMatchDikhawan | #PAKvNZ pic.twitter.com/UcZUGcxoYf
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) April 18, 2024
Hope of some play?
We have no official word from Rawalpindi on the state of play, but according to fans in the stadium, some of the covers are now being removed.
Covers are getting off in Stadium #PAKvsNZ | #PAKvNZ pic.twitter.com/xQdbw2RVHB
— Shami Khan (@Shami_hun_) April 18, 2024
No news from Rawalpindi
It’s almost two hours since this match was supposed to be begin and we still haven’t seen a ball bowled.
The umpires have been inspecting the outfield at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, but we have no updates yet.
It’s unlikely they can fit a full T20 international in now. I’d say a washout looks more likely at this stage…
The road to the World Cup
Pakistan have plenty of cricket to play ahead of the World Cup in June.
When this five-match series with New Zealand wraps up in late April, they will then head to Ireland for a three-match tour.
It’s then a short hop over to England for four more T20 internationals. That series ends a week before Pakistan begin their World Cup in Dallas, Texas in the US.
It’s a much lighter workload for New Zealand, with the Blackcaps not playing a game between the end of this series and the start of the World Cup.
All the more reason for them to be annoyed if this match is washed out.
And that's a sell out!
Thanks for your support. Further men's and women's home internationals will be announced shortly.#BackingGreen ☘️🏏 pic.twitter.com/xy9ECOHLAw
— Cricket Ireland (@cricketireland) April 6, 2024
The wait for cricket continues
The covers are back on at Pindi Cricket Stadium. Showers returning just as the players were getting set for the first ball. #PAKvNZ pic.twitter.com/nr4pDQNhzx
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) April 18, 2024
Blackcaps to face the World Cup hosts
New Zealand will be based in the West Indies for their opening fixtures at the T20 World Cup.
The Blackcaps open against Afghanistan, before a tricky tie against the hosts in Trinidad and Tobago.
They’ll then finish the group stage with matches against Uganda and Papua New Guinea.
The @T20WorldCup schedule for 2024 is here! Read more | https://t.co/X8p1PyuM66 #T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/fVmFHTW4mi
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) January 5, 2024
Pakistan’s T20 World Cup schedule
This series is a key part of preparations for the upcoming World Cup.
Pakistan will open their tournament with a game against co- hosts the United States in Dallas. They’ll then face India in a mouthwatering clash in New York.
You can read more about that here.
🗓️ Save the dates – Pakistan's group stage fixtures in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024! ⤵️#T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/3Vu8TqAFCJ
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) January 5, 2024
Heavy rain hits Rawalpindi
We have an update on the rain in Rawalpindi, and it’s not good news.
The skies have well and truly opened, and there is significant rainfall now. I’d say the chances of a full 20 over match are diminishing.
Heavy rain in Rawalpindi. pic.twitter.com/2Yf9eQtWyb
— Mazher Arshad (@MazherArshad) April 18, 2024
World Cup trophy arrives in Barbados
Both Pakistan and New Zealand will have their eyes on the prize when the T20 World Cup kicks off in June.
The final will take place on June 30 at the iconic Kensington Oval in Barbados.
📍 Barbados
The Trophy Tour reaches the destination where the #T20WorldCup 2024 final will take place 🤩 pic.twitter.com/OG8qrrmOd8
— T20 World Cup (@T20WorldCup) April 16, 2024
Pakistan must not be written off for T20 World Cup
Whilst the rain continues to pour in Rawalpindi, we can take a look ahead to the upcoming T20 World Cup, which will take place in the West Indies and the United States.
Pakistan were beaten finalists two years ago and head coach Azhar Mahmood has warned that his team cannot be written off ahead of this World Cup.
Pakistan won the tournament in 2009 but have only lifted the 2017 Champions Trophy since then.
“We know we haven’t won a big tournament since 2009 or the 2017, but you can never write off the Pakistan team, especially in the T20 format,” Mahmood said.
Gearing up for Gameday! 💪#PAKvNZ | #AaTenuMatchDikhawan pic.twitter.com/9iK5IXdLXa
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) April 17, 2024
A frustrating start to the series
Rain delay ☔
Just when we were getting ready for the first ball, it has started pouring down in Rawalpindi ⛈️#PAKvNZ | #AaTenuMatchDikhawan pic.twitter.com/yZ6R1A8bAI
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) April 18, 2024
The rain returns
The players are ready to begin but it’s raining again!
Not even a ball bowled and the players are off. The covers are being dragged onto the pitch.
The rain isn’t too heavy at this stage. Let’s hope it is just a passing shower.
There’s a new sheriff in town for the United States ahead of T20 World Cup
Before play gets under way in Rawalpindi, one quick line to bring you from the world of cricket.
Former Australia batter Stuart Law has been appointed as head coach of the United States ahead of this summer’s T20 World Cup.
The 55-year-old former Sri Lanka and Middlesex coach, who was born in Queensland, played in one Test and 54 one-day internationals.
Men's #T20WorldCup co-hosts USA have formally unveiled their new head coach 👀
More 👇https://t.co/TVjdIun7C2
— ICC (@ICC) April 18, 2024
The players are out
Both sides are lining up on the field to listen to their national anthems.
It’s a healthy crowd in Rawalpindi, with fans still streaming in. The weather has cleared up nicely after that earlier drizzle.
Play is just moments away.
New Zealand captain believes depleted squad can compete in Pakistan
Michael Bracewell leads a depleted New Zealand squad in this series.
The Kiwis are without a number of their top names, who are currently playing in the Indian Premier League, but Bracewell says the 2-2 draw in Pakistan last year gives his team hope.
“It’s a huge challenge coming up against a full-strength Pakistan side,” the New Zealand captain said.
“They’re a great Twenty20 side and they showed that in the World Cup last time.
“There were a few guys missing for New Zealand when we played here last time and that shows we can compete.”
‘A good senior and junior combination’
Captain Babar Azam has been discussing the Pakistan starting XI ahead of this T20 international.
“We have a good senior and junior combination and will utilise that in this match and the whole series. Before the World Cup we have a good chance to utilise that,” he said.
“We are OK to bowl first due to overcast conditions and because the covers have been on,” Azam added.
Pakistan pick 3 debutants
We’ll get a chance to check out Irfan Niazi, Usman Khan and Abrar Ahmed on debut for Pakistan.
Three debutants in our playing XI for today's match 🇵🇰#PAKvNZ | #AaTenuMatchDikhawan pic.twitter.com/PDp6tYRbAA
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) April 18, 2024