Persistent rain led to the abandonment of the much-anticipated cricket match between South Africa and Australia at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Tuesday. Scheduled to commence at 12:10 GMT, the game faced a delay of over five hours before officials called it off at 5:10 pm local time. Both teams, having secured victories in their opening fixtures, remained on three points each. However, South Africa edged ahead in the pool standings due to a superior net run-rate.
The weather conditions in Rawalpindi left the outfield too saturated for any play to occur. Throughout the day, light rain created pools of water on the covers and outfield, rendering it unsuitable for a cricket match. Despite the adverse conditions, a handful of dedicated spectators waited anxiously, hoping for some action. Unfortunately, they had to leave disappointed as not a single ball was bowled.
This washout means both South Africa and Australia must look to their upcoming fixtures to secure their places in the semifinals. The tournament's format dictates that the top two teams from each group will proceed to the next round. South Africa will face England on Saturday, while Australia is set to compete against Afghanistan on Friday.
The abandonment of this match adds pressure on both teams as they prepare for their remaining group-stage matches. With the stakes high and limited opportunities to secure crucial points, both sides will be eager to make the most of their upcoming encounters.
