A tense Super 12s match between South Africa and Zimbabwe in the Men’s T20 World Cup ended in bizarre fashion when the game was called off due to rain.
Zimbabwe reached a score of 79-5 after Hobart’s game was reduced to nine overs per side due to persistent but light rain, with Wesley Madhevere scoring an unbeaten 35 off 18 balls.
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South Africa’s target was reduced to 64 off seven overs after Quinton de Kock hit 23 off the first over of the reply, but heavier rain soon started to fall again.
Umpires Ahsan Raza and Michael Gough initially permitted play to resume, but pace bowler Richard Ngarava slipped and injured his thigh in his follow through, prompting Zimbabwe to bowl only spin to protect their seamers.
Wicketkeeper Regis Chakabva also slipped while moving down the leg side, prompting spinner Sikandar Raza to declare,”We may as bowl underarm or we won’t have 11 players for the next game.”
With South Africa on 51-0 after three overs, spinner Sean Williams was about to bowl but raised his arm in protest. The umpires then decided to take the players off the field, effectively ending the match.
South Africa had reached the required total in the minimum five overs required to constitute a game in T20 cricket.
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However, because the game could not be reduced by two more overs, the target could not be revised further, and they were forced to settle for a no-result, with each side receiving one point.
The Proteas will play Bangladesh on Thursday, while Zimbabwe will play Pakistan.
