First T20I encounter between Pakistan and New Zealand called off amid heavy rains

Heavy showers on Thursday washed out the maiden T20I encounter of the five-match series between Pakistan and New Zealand in Rawalpindi.

The players returned to the field for just two balls after it was announced that the game has been reduced to five overs per side.

Shaheen Afridi took the new ball for the home side and removed Tim Robinson on the second ball courtesy of an inswinging delivery which rattled the stumps.

The rain returned just after the dismissal and the match was called off by the umpires.

Earlier, the players left the field just before Shaheen was on his mark to deliver the first ball of the match.

New Zealand won the toss and captain Michael Bracewell decided to bat first.

Pakistan handed debut caps to three players - Usman Khan, Irfan Khan Niazi and Abrar Ahmed.

Meanwhile, Josh Clarkson was making debut for the New Zealand.

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

It must be noted there is also 49 percent chance of rain on April 20 in Rawalpindi, which is the day of the second T20I.

However, the chance of rain on April 21, when the third T20I is set to take place, is considerably less at 19 percent.

After the first three matches at the Pindi Cricket Stadium, both sides will move to Lahore, where they will play the remaining two T20Is of the series on 25 and 27 April, respectively.

The series is being broadcast live on Pakistan’s first sports channel Geo Super.

Pakistan vs New Zealand T20I series schedule

April 18 — 1st T20I, Rawalpindi

April 20 — 2nd T20I, Rawalpindi

April 21 — 3rd T20I, Rawalpindi

April 25 — 4th T20I, Lahore

April 27 — 5th T20I, Lahore