England’s preparations for the T20 World Cup suffered another blow as the third T20I of Pakistan’s tour of England was abandoned without a ball being bowled.
Persistent rain throughout Tuesday afternoon and evening in Cardiff led to the third of the four-match series at Sophia Gardens being abandoned, just as the first T20I was at Headlingley last Wednesday.
❌ CALLED OFF ❌
Our third IT20 vs Pakistan has been abandoned due to wet weather.
See you at The Oval 👋 PIC.TWITTER.COM/WQFQSS63FA
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) MAY 28, 2024
With a cut-off of 9.16pm, it was decided after an 8.10pm pitch inspection that there was no prospect of even playing the minimum of five overs a side.
The sides will hope for better fortunes when they face off in the series finale at The Oval on Thursday, May 30.
England go into the match with a 1-0 series lead courtesy of their 23-run win in Saturday’s second match of the series at Edgbaston.
England skipper Jos Buttler made 84 from 51 balls as England posted 183-7, with Shaheen Afridi collecting 3-36.
Joffra Archer picked up two wickets and Reece Topley claimed 3-41 as the tourists were bowled out for 160 in reply, with four balls to spare, Fakhar Zaman providing the main resistance with 45 from 21 deliveries.
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Buttler was due to miss Tuesday’s game as his wife Louise is due to give birth to their third child. His involvement in the fourth T20I remains uncertain.
The series is England’s only preparation before flying out on Friday to defend their title in the World Cup in the Caribbean and USA.
England have recalled eight of their 15-man squad early from IPL duty, which raised some eyebrows in India, in preparation for their tournament opener against Scotland on June 4 in Barbados.
