Rain washes out England-Pakistan T20I opener

LEEDS (Agencies): Persistent rain saw the first Twenty20 international between England and Pakistan at Headingley on Wednesday abandoned without a ball being bowled. The match was meant to be the launchpad for reigning champion England’s defence next month of its T20 World Cup title in the Caribbean and the United States. But a heavy and lengthy downpour in Leeds led the umpires to call the game off approximately an hour before the scheduled 17:30 GMT (11 PM IST) start. The four-match series against Pakistan, the team England beat to win the 2022 T20 World Cup final in Melbourne, will continue at Birmingham’s Edgbaston ground on Saturday before games next week in Cardiff and at the Oval. England was also the defending champions heading into last year’s 50-over World Cup in India, but Jos Buttler’s men suffered a tame exit, losing six of their nine matches. The Pakistan T20 series could see the return to international duty of England fast bowler Jofra Archer. Injuries have blighted the quick’s career, with elbow and back problems sidelining the 29-year-old from top-level cricket for 14 months.

Speaking to Sky Sports afterwards, Jos Buttler, England’s captain, acknowledged it had been a “frustrating” day for the players. “We’ve had a really good couple of days’ prep and everyone was really excited for the series,” he said. “I think just putting the England kit back on and playing cricket in England is amazing. So it’s really disappointing today, not to be playing, but three matches still to look forward to.” Looking ahead to the World Cup in the Caribbean and the USA next month, Buttler acknowledged it was a “unique build-up” that had required some flexibility from the players, particularly those such as himself that might otherwise have been involved in the IPL play-offs, where his team Rajasthan Royals beat Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the Eliminator on Wednesday afternoon. “I think that’s why we felt it was good to try and get the players all together for this series,” he said. “My personal opinion is there should never be any international cricket that clashes with the IPL. But my first priority at the moment is being England captain and trying to prepare as best we can for a world tournament. I’ve always said to Keysy (Director of cricket, Rob Key) I would definitely be coming back as England captain. He’s made the call on the rest of the players.”

Pakistan, meanwhile, remain the only one of the 20 participating sides at the World Cup not to have made their provisional squad for the tournament public. The PCB had specifically pointed to this game when declaring their intention to withhold the squad announcement, saying it would be finalised after the first T20I between the sides, although Hasan Ali was released from the squad earlier in the day to fulfil his county deal with Warwickshire. Yorkshire’s weather, though, doused out Pakistan hopes of getting in one last look at the players before locking in the travelling party to North America. The sides are scheduled to play three more games before flying out for the World Cup – at Edgbaston on Saturday, Cardiff on Tuesday, and The Oval a week on Thursday.