Cricket

The inaugural Test match between New Zealand and Afghanistan, scheduled to commence on Monday, was unfortunately marred by inclement weather, resulting in the abandonment of the opening day's play. Despite multiple inspections throughout the day, the outfield remained saturated, rendering it unsuitable for play.The lack of a modern drainage system at the venue has exacerbated the situation, as heavy rainfall over the past week has left the ground waterlogged. With forecasts predicting continued rain and thunderstorms throughout the week, the extent of the disruption to the Test remains uncertain.This highly anticipated encounter marks the first-ever Test between New Zealand and Afghanistan, who were granted Test status in 2017. Afghanistan, with 10 Tests under their belt, have faced setbacks in their recent outings, suffering defeats against Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Ireland.For New Zealand, this Test serves as their first since March and initiates a demanding schedule in the subcontinent. The Black Caps will embark on a three-Test series against India in October-November, adding to their already packed itinerary.The weather-induced postponement has cast a shadow over the historic occasion, but both teams remain hopeful that the conditions will improve, allowing for a competitive and memorable Test match.

Global T20 Canada Controversy: Bangla Tigers Eliminated After Super Over DisputeThe Global T20 Canada tournament was marred by controversy on Friday when Bangla Tigers Mississauga were knocked out of the competition after forfeiting their eliminator match to Toronto Nationals. The incident stemmed from persistent rain that delayed the start of the match in Brampton, Ontario.With the clock ticking towards the cut-off time, match officials decided that only a Super Over would be possible. This decision was communicated to both teams, in accordance with the playing regulations. However, Bangla Tigers captain Shakib Al Hasan refused to attend the toss for the Super Over in protest.Bangla Tigers owner Zafir Yasin argued that the match should have been decided by a minimum of five or ten overs per side, rather than just a Super Over. However, GLT20 CEO Joy Bhattacharjya explained that the decision was made by the match officials to ensure a result.Bhattacharjya also clarified that the Super Over provision was not a sudden addition to the regulations. It had been in place for both Qualifier 1 and the eliminator, but it was only possible to implement it in the second game due to improved ground conditions.According to the regulations, the game could be called off if the Super Over did not begin by 7.50pm. At the time of the toss, the Toronto Nationals captain was present, but the Bangla Tigers team refused to appear. The match referee subsequently awarded the match to Toronto Nationals.Yasin expressed dissatisfaction with the decision, claiming that the organizers had compromised the integrity of the competition by seeking assistance from the Toronto owners to procure additional covers. However, Bhattacharjya explained that this was done to ensure that the crucial stage of the tournament would not be decided by the weather.Despite the match being awarded to Toronto, Bangla Tigers turned up at the venue on Saturday morning to play Qualifier 2. However, they were informed that no fresh requests would be entertained. Brampton, who lost Qualifier 1, eventually lost Qualifier 2 to Toronto, who will face Montreal in Sunday's final.

India Opt to Bowl First in Second T20I Against Sri LankaAfter a 45-minute delay due to intermittent rain, India captain Suryakumar Yadav won the toss and elected to bowl first in the second T20I against Sri Lanka in Pallekele. The start of the match was pushed back to 7.45pm local time.Yadav explained that the wet weather conditions influenced his decision to chase. India made a forced change, with Sanju Samson replacing vice-captain Shubman Gill, who woke up with a neck spasm.Sri Lanka captain Charith Asalanka expressed indifference about batting first, despite the match being a must-win for his team after losing the opening T20I. The hosts also made one change, bringing in offspin-bowling allrounder Ramesh Mendis for left-arm fast bowler Dilshan Madushanka.Mendis, who was not initially part of Sri Lanka's squad, was added as a standby due to illness and injury. His recent form has been impressive, including an unbeaten 30 off 11 balls and 2 for 10 in his last T20 game for Kandy Falcons in the LPL.Team Lineups:India:* Yashasvi Jaiswal* Sanju Samson* Suryakumar Yadav (capt)* Rishabh Pant (wk)* Riyan Parag* Hardik Pandya* Rinku Singh* Axar Patel* Arshdeep Singh* Ravi Bishnoi* Mohammed SirajSri Lanka:* Kusal Mendis (wk)* Pathum Nissanka* Kusal Perera* Kamindu Mendis* Charith Asalanka (capt)* Dasun Shanaka* Wanindu Hasaranga* Ramesh Mendis* Maheesh Theekshana* Matheesha Pathirana* Asitha Fernando

England's defense of their Twenty20 World Cup title remained alive after a hard-fought victory over Namibia in a rain-affected match on June 15. The match, which was reduced to 11 overs and then 10 overs due to persistent showers, saw England rally to a score of 122-5 before restricting Namibia to 84-3.England's innings was anchored by Harry Brook, who remained unbeaten on 47 off 20 balls. Jonny Bairstow also contributed with 31 off 18 balls, while Moeen Ali and Liam Livingstone provided late impetus with 21 runs off the final over.Namibia's chase was led by Michael van Lingen, who scored 33 off 29 balls before retiring hurt. David Wiese, who had earlier taken two wickets for 12 runs, chipped in with 27 off 12 balls, but it was not enough to prevent England from securing a 41-run victory.The result meant that England advanced to the Super Eight stage of the tournament, where they will face Afghanistan on Thursday in Barbados. India, who had already qualified for the Super Eight as the Group A winner, had their match against Canada abandoned without a ball bowled due to a wet outfield.

Torrential rain has forced the abandonment of the North Group clash between Nottinghamshire Outlaws and Durham at Trent Bridge, with only five overs possible.The scheduled 2.30pm start was delayed due to wet weather, with the match eventually getting underway at 4pm with a reduced 17-over format. Outlaws skipper Joe Clarke opted to bowl first, and Durham openers Alex Lees and Graham Clark made a flying start, putting on 58 runs in just five overs.Clark was particularly aggressive, hitting two boundaries in Olly Stone's opening over and another two in his second, before pulling a huge six into the Fox Round stand. New Zealand left-armer Ben Lister completed the fifth over of the Durham innings, but rain returned with a vengeance, accompanied by thunder and lightning.The storm was short-lived, but it deposited so much water on the playing area that umpires Paul Baldwin and James Middlebrook had no option but to call the game off. The Outlaws, who had broken their duck for the season against Worcestershire on Friday night, take another point for a no-result.Bottom of the table with only three points at the halfway stage, the Outlaws' chances of qualifying for the knock-out stages appear slim. However, in an open group where no team apart from leaders Lancashire Lightning has more than six points, a string of wins in the second half of the season could still see them go through.The same applies to Durham, third from bottom but on five points, only one behind second-placed Yorkshire Vikings.

Nottinghamshire's hopes of securing a victory in their Vitality County Championship match against Worcestershire were dashed by persistent rain, resulting in a draw at Visit Worcestershire New Road. Despite the washout of two of the first three days, Nottinghamshire held a commanding position, entering Monday with a 154-run lead. However, heavy overnight rain and continuous morning showers prevented any play on the final day.Umpires Nigel Llong and Suri Shanmugam conducted multiple inspections throughout the day, but the conditions remained unsuitable for play. Nottinghamshire's frustration was palpable, having outplayed Worcestershire on Saturday, the only day of play possible.While Worcestershire avoided any embarrassment on the final day, it was a disappointing end to the first block of County Championship matches. The return to New Road was supposed to be a welcome one after eight floods over the winter forced the club to relocate their first two home games to Kidderminster.Worcestershire's chief executive, Ashley Giles, has expressed concerns about the ground's susceptibility to bad weather, suggesting the possibility of moving the club to a new permanent home. "It's costing us a lot of money," Giles said. "We're going to lose virtually two months of a six-month season."New Road is scheduled to host a Vitality Blast match against Lancashire Lightning on Friday. While the ground staff has worked tirelessly over the past four days, further inclement weather could affect preparations for that fixture. The Blast is a significant source of matchday revenue for the club, as New Road is not a Test venue.Worcestershire head coach Alan Richardson expressed disappointment over the weather-affected match. "It's lovely to be back, but four days that we probably don't want to remember for too long," he said.Nottinghamshire head coach Peter Moores echoed Richardson's frustrations, while praising his team's performance. Luke Fletcher was the standout performer with the ball, taking three wickets, while a disciplined attack dismissed Worcestershire for a mere 80 runs. Skipper Haseeb Hameed then scored a century to extend Nottinghamshire's advantage, with former Worcestershire batter Joe Clarke contributing an unbeaten 73."We played brilliantly in the game so credit to the lads," Moores said. "To bowl them out in a session was a fantastic effort, not just the quality of the bowling but the catching that went with it."

Worcestershire's eagerly anticipated return to their home ground, Visit Worcestershire New Road, for the Vitality County Championship match against Nottinghamshire ended in disappointment as the first day was washed out due to a persistent damp patch on the bowlers' run-up at the New Road End.Despite the club's efforts to switch their opening two home games to Kidderminster due to eight floods that engulfed the ground during the winter, the persistent rain on Wednesday left a section of the ground saturated.Groundstaff worked tirelessly to dry out the affected area, even digging out blocks of turf and cooking them on a diesel heater in the groundsman's shed. However, the umpires, Nigel Llong and Surendiran Shanmugam, decided at 1.30pm to abandon play for the day, citing the outfield as "way too wet."The washout has raised concerns about the future of New Road as a suitable venue for cricket. Ashley Giles, Worcestershire's chief executive, had previously admitted that the club was exploring the possibility of a permanent move to a new home."I don't think we can carry on like this," Giles told BBC Hereford and Worcester in April. "It's costing us a lot of money. The ground is here to stage cricket, to be a venue for entertainment and hospitality. But conditions are seemingly getting worse."The club's financial situation is also a factor, with the constant flooding and the need for repairs putting a strain on resources. The washout has further deepened the uncertainty surrounding New Road's future, leaving the club and its supporters facing an uncertain future.

England vs Pakistan T20I Abandoned Due to Persistent RainThe highly anticipated first T20I between England and Pakistan was unfortunately called off before the scheduled start time due to incessant rain that drenched Leeds throughout the day. The ground was saturated with puddles, leaving the umpires with no choice but to abandon the match.This match was crucial for both teams as it was their last opportunity to assess their players before finalizing their squads for the upcoming T20 World Cup. England was particularly eager to give Jofra Archer a game before the squad announcement deadline on Saturday, but the rain dashed those hopes. England will now have to make a decision on Archer's inclusion without seeing him play a competitive match.Pakistan, on the other hand, remains the only team among the 20 World Cup participants to have not announced their provisional squad. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had intended to finalize the squad after the first T20I against England, but the rain prevented them from doing so.The inclement weather in Yorkshire also thwarted Pakistan's plans to give their players a final look before selecting the traveling party for North America. The two teams are scheduled to play three more games before departing for the World Cup: at Edgbaston on Saturday, Cardiff on Tuesday, and The Oval on June 2.