No balls were bowled in the AFG v NZ men’s Twenty20 World Cup match due to rain at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Ireland’s shocking five-run triumph over England at the same site was also cut short due to hail. Group 1’s New Zealand and Afghanistan both earn a point.
The Black Caps have three points, are the only undefeated team, and have a comfortable lead over the four teams with two points each. Afghanistan improves their standing by one point. However, they are still last in the league.
AFG v NZ | Match called off due to rain
This washout may help England’s chances of advancing to the semifinals, as a victory for New Zealand would have reduced their margin for error following their loss to the Irish. The Twenty20 World Cup match between New Zealand and Afghanistan was postponed due to weather.
On Wednesday, the rain stopped play before a single ball was bowled in the Super 12 match between New Zealand and Afghanistan in the T20 World Cup. The T20 World Cup match between New Zealand and Afghanistan was postponed due to bad weather.
The Super 12 season began last Saturday, and the Black Caps started with a win over the defending champions and hosts, Australia. Thanks to the Melbourne Cricket Ground draw, they have three points and are first in Group 1. Their first game ended in defeat to England. Consequently, Afghanistan continues to hold the bottom spot.
England was stunned by a surprise loss to Ireland in the first game of the doubleheader at the MCG. There wasn’t enough time for the whole play because of the rain. Using the Duckworth-Lewis method, the English could not obtain their target score. The Group 1 standings could be affected by the weather in Melbourne on Friday. It was when Australia plays England, and Ireland faces Afghanistan at the MCG.
Statements
The New Zealand national rugby union team’s coach, Gary Stead, stated on Thursday that his squad’s opening day thrashing of the Australian national team was made sweeter by the rain that had fallen the day before.
He told the press, “I think it helps.”
Ireland’s victory, I believe, also demonstrates that there are no cakewalks throughout the tournament.
That’s encouraging news for cricket. It does, however, add a degree of predictability to our pool.
