21 Apr 2023

Hail ends fourth T20 international

8:26 am on 21 April 2023
Ground staff leave after covering the pitch from a hailstorm shower that stopped the game during the fourth Twenty20 international cricket match between Pakistan and New Zealand at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, 2023.

Hail hits Rawalpindi Stadium Photo: AFP

Bad weather has forced the fourth T20 international between Pakistan and New Zealand in Rawalpindi to be abandoned.

The Black Caps got through to 164 for five in 19 overs before rain and hail started to fall.

Pakistan won the toss and asked New Zealand to bat first.

Opener Chad Bowes, who was playing just his seventh T20 International, scored his first half century.

He was dismissed for 54 and combined well with Mark Chapman to put on 54 for the fourth wicket.

Chapman hit 71 off 42 balls to put the tourists into a solid position.

However rain, hail and lightning forced the players from the field.

Puddles formed in the outfield and the officials decided the ground couldn't be made playable in time for a resumption.

"It whited out the whole outfield so we were thinking how are they going to clear this," said Chapman post match.

"It's just the way cricket goes sometimes when there's weather around and it's a shame as we felt we were closing in on a pretty comptitive total."

Pakistan lead the series 2-1 with the 5th and final game also in Rawalpindi next Tuesday.