NEW DELHI: Incessant rain led to the abandonment of the first Twenty20 international between England and Pakistan at
Headingley
on Wednesday without a ball being bowled.
This match was intended to kick off England's defence of their
T20 World Cup
title, which they will defend next month in the Caribbean and the United States.
However, a heavy downpour in Leeds forced the umpires to call off the game about an hour before the scheduled 17:30 GMT (11:00 IST) start time.
The four-match series against Pakistan, whom England defeated in the 2022
T20
World Cup final in Melbourne, will continue at Birmingham's Edgbaston on Saturday, followed by matches in Cardiff and at the Oval next week.
England, who were also the defending champions in last year's 50-over World Cup in India, had a disappointing campaign, exiting early after losing six of their nine matches.
The T20 series against Pakistan might mark the return of England fast bowler
Jofra Archer
to international cricket. Archer, plagued by elbow and back injuries, has been sidelined from top-level cricket for 14 months.
(Inputs from AFP)
English (US) ·