LEEDS: Persistent rain saw the first Twenty20 international between Pakistan and England at Headingley on Wednesday abandoned without a ball being bowled, dashing the hopes of cricket fans.
The downpour, which continued for a prolonged period, forced the umpires to call off the match approximately an hour before its scheduled 1730 GMT start.
The fixture was eagerly anticipated as the launchpad for reigning champions England’s defense of their ICC T20I World Cup title in the Caribbean and the United States next month. However, the inclement weather in Leeds left players and spectators disappointed as the match fell victim to the elements.
England, who clinched the ICC T20I World Cup title by defeating Pakistan in the final in Melbourne in 2022, were looking forward to testing their mettle against the same opponent ahead of the mega tournament.
The four-match T20I series between Pakistan and England will resume at Birmingham’s Edgbaston ground on Saturday, with subsequent games scheduled for next week in Cardiff and at the Oval. England, having endured a lackluster performance in last year’s 50-over World Cup in India, will be looking to make a strong statement in the T20I format.
The Pakistan T20I series could see the return to international duty of England fast bowler Jofra Archer. Injuries have blighted the pacer’s career, with elbow and back problems sidelining the 29-year-old from top-level cricket for 14 months.
England 15 Member Squad
Jos Buttler (captain), Moeen Ali, Jofra Archer, Jonny Bairstow, Harry Brook, Sam Curran, Ben Duckett, Tom Hartley, Will Jacks, Chris Jordan, Liam Livingstone, Adil Rashid, Phil Salt, Reece Topley and Mark Wood
Pakistan 15 Member Squad
Babar Azam (captain), Abrar Ahmed, Azam Khan, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Rizwan, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Usman Khan
Pakistan Tour of England
May 22: First T20I at Leeds
May 25: Second T20I at Birmingham
May 28: Third T20I at Cardiff
May 30: Fourth T20I at The Oval
