ICC Cricket World Cup 2019: Rain spoils Pakistan vs Bangladesh, West Indies vs South Africa warm-ups

The ICC Cricket World Cup warm-up games between Pakistan and Bangladesh at Cardiff, as well as the game between West Indies and South Africa from Bristol, was affected by rain. While Pakistan vs Bangladesh match was abandoned without a ball being bowled, the match in Bristol between West Indies and South Africa saw some action but after two rain breaks, the game was declared a no-result. The abandonment of Pakistan vs Bangladesh game is a blow to Sarfraz Ahmed’s side, who head into the World Cup having lost nine out of 10 games and losing their only other warm-up game to Afghanistan by three wickets.

In the other warm-up game at Bristol, West Indies inserted South Africa into bat but the Proteas started well with Hashim Amla, who had hit a fifty in the game against Sri Lanka, smashing two boundaries in the first over bowled by Jason Holder. Quinton de Kock, who was rested for the previous game, got going with a four off Sheldon Cottrell and both batsmen started well. The left-hander looked in great touch with two boundaries off Cottrell in the sixth over. However, the rain arrived during the ninth over and after a 50-minute halt, play resumed.

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However, after seven balls, the rain returned again and this time the delay was longer. When play resumed after over two hours, the match was reduced to 31-overs-per-side. Amla continued his great form and he got to his second fifty by cutting Oshane Thomas over the third man fence for a six and then getting an inside edge that raced away to the fine leg fence. De Kock looked ominous but the match was interrupted by rain yet again and the umpires decided to call the game off.

South Africa’s warm-up games are done and they will start their World Cup campaign on the opening day when they take on England on May 30 at The Oval. West Indies will take on New Zealand at Bristol in the final warm-up game. The next two games will see England take on Afghanistan at The Oval followed by Australia taking on Sri Lanka at Southampton.

HIGHLIGHTS

• South Africa will take on England in the ICC Cricket World Cup opener.
• West Indies will play one warm-up game against New Zealand.
• Pakistan will open their World Cup campaign against West Indies.