India’s second warm-up game before T20 World Cup 2022 against New Zealand has been called off due to heavy rain at the Gabba, Brisbane.
The rain did not stop after interrupting Pakistan's warm-up against Afghanistan. The first game was called off during the third over of Pakistan’s run chase.
The called off match is a big blow for both India and New Zealand as they would have liked to cover few more bases before the Super 12 clash.
Earlier, India had beaten Australia in the first warm-up game at the same venue on October 17. After half-centuries from KL Rahul (57) and Suryakumar Yadav (50) helped India post 186/7, skipper Aaron Finch posed a major threat in the run chase.
India's death bowling was tested and it passed with flying colours. Harshal Patel got rid of Finch in the penultimate over, which has been a headache for India for a while now. In the last over, Mohammed Shami, who replaced an injured Jasprit Bumrah was given the ball. Shami did not give Australian bowlers an inch and took three wickets in the only over he bowled.
On the other hand, New Zealand were stunned by South Africa in their first warm-up game. They suffered a massive batting collapse and got bundled out for 98 with 17 balls left in the innings. South Africa easily chased down the target in the 12th over and won the game by nine wickets, riding high on Rilee Rossouw's half-century.
India will take on arch-rivals Pakistan on October 23 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground whereas New Zealand will go up against hosts Australia at Sydney Cricket Ground.
