The T20 World Cup's Super-12 clash between New Zealand and Afghanistan was washed out without even a ball bowled due to incessant rain on Wednesday (October 26). This has left the Group 1 battle intensified.
The Group 1 Super 12 match was scheduled to start at 1.30PM IST but rain forced the players to remain indoors.
Both teams shared a point each as rain refused to relent, forcing the umpires to call off the match.
The covers were removed ahead of the scheduled inspection, but the rain again came down heavily at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
Earlier, in the rain-hit opening game of the day at the MCG, Ireland stunned England by five runs via the Duckworth-Lewis method following multiple interruptions.
For both New Zealand and Afghanistan, Wednesday's game was their second outing in the Super 12 stage.
While New Zealand beat defending champions Australia by 89 runs in their opening match, Afghanistan lost by five wickets to England.
Meanwhile, rain failed to play spoilsport in another Group 1 match which saw Ireland causing a massive upset with a five-run win over England at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in a rain-curtailed tie.
Eleven years on from their three-wicket win over England at the 50-over World Cup in India, Ireland beat their rivals again in the T20 version after rain thwarted their opponents' timid chase of 158.
England were 105-5 after 14.3 overs, five runs below the DLS par score of 110, when the rain that had caused delays earlier in the game returned and did not relent in time for the match to resume.
Moeen Ali (24no off 12) got himself going with three fours and a six after his team had limped to 29-3 in the powerplay and then 86-5 in the 14th over, but weather had the final say as Ireland secured a notable victory and dented England's title hopes.
England now face a blockbuster clash - a virtual eliminator - with hosts and defending champions Australia at the same venue on Friday (9am UK time) immediately after Ireland play Afghanistan (5am UK time).
