Persistent rain forced the abandonment of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 match between hosts Pakistan and Bangladesh on Thursday, with no play possible at any stage.
Heavy showers throughout the day prevented even the toss from taking place, dashing hopes of a competitive contest. With conditions showing no signs of improvement, officials eventually called off the match without a ball being bowled.
The washout leaves both teams winless in the tournament, placing them at the bottom of the points table as their campaigns come to an early end.
The rain, which persisted intermittently overnight, caused a delay as dark clouds lingered over the stadium. Umpires Adrian Holdstock of South Africa and Michael Gough of England are set to inspect the conditions once the rain ceases.
Both teams were already out of the semi-final race, having lost their first two matches in the 50-over tournament. India and New Zealand have already advanced from Group A.
In Group B, South Africa, Australia, and Afghanistan are competing for the remaining two semi-final spots, while England have been eliminated from contention.
Weather report:
According to Accuweather, rain is expected to impact the match between Pakistan and Bangladesh. With temperatures around 18°C and a wind speed of 5 km/h, Rawalpindi will be cloudy with occasional rain in the afternoon and evening. This could potentially lead to interruptions, similar to the South Africa vs Australia match, which was abandoned at the same venue.
Pitch report:
The pitch is expected to be flat, providing ideal conditions for batsmen to dominate. Given Rawalpindi’s history of high-scoring encounters, another run-fest could be on the cards.
However, while the surface may not offer much assistance to bowlers, the overcast conditions could bring fast bowlers into play. With rain expected in Rawalpindi, seamers might find movement early on, making their role crucial in shaping the outcome of the match.
Head-to-head:
Pakistan and Bangladesh have faced each other 39 times in One Day Internationals (ODIs). Pakistan hold a dominant record, winning 34 of these encounters, while Bangladesh have secured victory on just five occasions.
