Match Report – ENG vs PAK 3rd T20I, May 28, 2024

In England vs Pakistan – The game is abandoned without throwing in the towel

England and Pakistan will head to the T20 World Cup where they will be able to practice after incessant rain ended Tuesday night’s match between them in Cardiff without a ball being bowled. It is the second time the series has been abandoned after the weather spoiled Wednesday’s first match in Leeds, with just 39.2 overs bowled in 120 overs so far.

Buttler is expected to travel to Barbados with the rest of the England squad on Friday, and could return to the squad in time for the final game of the series at The Oval on Thursday night. As things stand, the forecast for south London is not very promising as both sides hope to get one last out before they leave, or at least allow for a close game.

Since no team will play a warm-up game between Thursday and the opening group games, they will be undercooked compared to other World Cup teams. Pakistan have at least played this way recently, drawing 2-2 with New Zealand in April and beating Ireland 2-1 earlier this month; Saturday’s match was England’s only T20I since December 21.

There was heavy rain on Tuesday morning in Cardiff, which continued for most of the day. It stopped for a bit in the afternoon but returned at around 5.15pm, again delaying the toast until referees Mike Burns and Russell Warren called off the game at 8.12pm, to the disappointment of the sell-out crowd.