Cricket

Rain Washes Out Historic Test Matches: A Look Back at Abandoned EncountersIn the annals of cricket history, there are matches that stand out for their thrilling contests, record-breaking performances, and unforgettable moments. However, there are also those that are remembered for a different reason: being abandoned due to inclement weather.One such match was the Dunedin Test during India's tour of New Zealand in 1998-99. The first Test of the series was scheduled to be played at Carisbrook, Dunedin, but rain and wet conditions prevented any play throughout the five days. The toss never took place, and the match was called off without a single ball being bowled.A similar fate befell the one-off Test between Afghanistan and Bangladesh at the Greater Noida Sports Complex Ground on the outskirts of Delhi. Rain and wet conditions again prevented even the toss from happening, leading to the abandonment of the match.The Greater Noida stadium has been Afghanistan's adopted home for their 'home' series in recent years. The match against Bangladesh was the eighth Test in history that didn't see even a single ball being bowled, and the first in 26 years since the India vs New Zealand game in December 1998.Here is a complete list of the eight abandoned Tests in history:1. England vs Australia - Old Trafford - 18902. England vs Australia - Old Trafford -19383. Australia vs England- Melbourne- 1970-714. New Zealand vs Pakistan - Dunedin - 1988-895. West Indies vs England - Georgetown, Guyana - 1989-906. Pakistan vs Zimbabwe - Faisalabad - 1998-997. New Zealand vs India - Dunedin- 1998-998. Afghanistan vs New Zealand - Greater Noida - 2024These abandoned matches serve as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of the weather and its impact on even the most anticipated sporting events. While fans may be disappointed when a match is called off, the safety of the players and the integrity of the game must always come first.

India's impressive run in the T20 World Cup Group A has secured their place in the 'Super 8s.' However, their fate against Canada on Saturday remains uncertain due to inclement weather in Florida.The state has been experiencing flash floods, leading to a state of emergency in some areas. The wet conditions have already forced the cancellation of the USA vs. Ireland match, resulting in a major upset and Pakistan's elimination from the tournament.The weather forecast for the Lauderhill region remains grim, with a high probability of showers and thunderstorms. The afternoon forecast offers a slightly better chance of play, but the situation remains fluid.India's dominance in Group A is undeniable, with three consecutive wins against Ireland, USA, and Pakistan. They have secured six points, while USA follows with five points from two wins and a no-result.The no-result in the USA vs. Ireland match has rendered the remaining two games in Group A inconsequential. India is assured of topping the group, followed by USA.The last game of the group, between Pakistan and Ireland, will be played on Sunday at the same venue. However, its outcome will have no bearing on the tournament's progression.The weather conditions in Florida will play a crucial role in determining whether India can extend their unbeaten run against Canada. If the match is washed out, both teams will share the points, and India will still advance to the 'Super 8s.'

Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) face off in a crucial match on Saturday, May 18, at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. The winner of this match will secure the fourth and final playoff spot in IPL 2024.RCB currently sits in sixth place with 12 points, while CSK is in fifth place with 14 points. However, RCB has a superior net run rate (+0.387) compared to CSK (+0.528). This means that RCB needs to win by a significant margin to overtake CSK in the standings.The weather forecast for Saturday's match is cloudy with a thunderstorm in parts of the area. There is a 100% chance of cloud cover and 7.2 mm of rain is expected. This could potentially impact the match and force a delay or even a cancellation.If RCB bats first and sets CSK a target of 200 to win, then CSK will need to win by a minimum of 18 runs to go past RCB's net run rate. If RCB chases a target of 201 or more, then they will need to win by a minimum of 11 balls to spare.For CSK, a win will guarantee them a playoff spot. However, even a narrow defeat could be enough to see them through, provided their net run rate remains superior to RCB's. In the event of a washout or no-result, both teams will receive one point, which will be enough for CSK to qualify for the playoffs.The match between RCB and CSK is expected to be a close and exciting affair. Both teams have a lot to play for, and the winner will secure a spot in the playoffs.

KKR's Charter Flight Diverted Twice Due to Adverse Weather ConditionsKolkata Knight Riders' (KKR) charter flight from Lucknow to Kolkata was forced to be diverted twice due to inclement weather conditions in Kolkata. The flight was initially diverted to Guwahati, but after failing to land there, it was further diverted to Varanasi.The Shreyas Iyer-led squad was returning from Lucknow after their emphatic 98-run victory over Lucknow Super Giants in the Indian Premier League (IPL) match on Sunday. The team's flight updates were shared by the franchise on Twitter."Travel update: KKR's charter flight from Lucknow to Kolkata diverted to Guwahati due to bad weather. Flight currently standing at the Guwahati Airport tarmac. More updates soon," read the first tweet from KKR.After taking off from Guwahati around midnight, the flight still could not land in Kolkata due to bad weather and was diverted to Varanasi."Flight diverted to Varanasi after another failed attempt at landing in Kolkata due to bad weather. Current status: At the Lal Bahadur Shastri International airport tarmac," read the next update.The team is now expected to fly from Varanasi on Tuesday afternoon. Table-toppers Kolkata will take on Mumbai Indians in their next IPL match at the Eden Gardens on Saturday.The adverse weather conditions in Kolkata, which included heavy rainfall and thunderstorms, prevented the flight from landing safely. The team's safety was paramount, and the decision to divert the flight was made to ensure their well-being.Despite the flight delays, the KKR team remained in high spirits and expressed their gratitude to the pilots and crew for their professionalism and handling of the situation. The team is now looking forward to their next match against Mumbai Indians and will be hoping for better weather conditions in Kolkata.

Poor Weather Disrupts International Cricket Fixtures in UAEUnfavorable weather conditions in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have forced the cancellation of the second One-Day International (ODI) between Afghanistan and Ireland and the postponement of the ICC ODI World Cup League 2 match between UAE and Scotland.The UAE vs Scotland game in Dubai was postponed on Friday due to severe weather conditions, as per a directive from the relevant government department. On Saturday, the Afghanistan Cricket Board announced the cancellation of the Afghanistan vs Ireland ODI in Sharjah due to heavy and persistent rain."The decision to call off the game was made after extensive discussions between the event's technical committee, match officials, and ground staff," the Afghanistan Cricket Board stated.Afghanistan currently holds a 1-0 lead in the series after their 35-run victory in the first ODI in Sharjah on Thursday. The third and final game of the series is scheduled to take place on March 12 at the same venue.Reports from UAE media outlets indicate that the inclement weather has led to flight cancellations and a yellow weather alert has been issued, suggesting the possibility of worsening conditions.In Abu Dhabi, thunder, lightning, and heavy rain have been reported, resulting in the suspension of bus services between Dubai and Sharjah. However, marine transport services in Dubai have resumed after morning disruptions.The weather conditions have significantly impacted international cricket fixtures in the UAE, highlighting the challenges posed by unpredictable weather patterns.