Summary

  • Match abandoned after persistent rain throughout day in Cardiff

  • England lead four-match series 1-0

  • Final game in series at The Oval on Thursday

Live Reporting

Mike Peter

  1. The Great British summer.

    Fans huddled under umbrellas at a rainy CardiffGetty Images

  2. Ffion Wynne
    BBC Sport cricket writer in Cardiff

    Every time I start typing that the rain has eased, a new load seems to be unleashed. A few minutes ago there were huge cheers from the crowd as the groundstaff emerged on their trucks to attempt some kind of mopping-up process.

    They're sweeping the outfield covers but I'm not sure it's having too much effect. But fair play to the crowd, there are plenty of them braving it in the stands and huddled under umbrellas.

    That's commitment!

  3. Andy Zaltzman
    Cricket statistician on Test Match Special

    Neither England or Pakistan have been ranked first in the world for either batting or fielding despite meeting in the 2022 T20 World Cup final.

  4. Get Involved

    #bbccricket, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (standard network charges apply)

    Seriously, who ever thought to put a must play game in Cardiff in May? The authorities really need to look at what is best for England players rather than look at money.

    Mark Burrows, Kent.

    The rain is pretty rotten across the whole country, Mark. So we can't really single out Cardiff.

  5. Alex Hartley
    Former England bowler on BBC Sounds

    When you're playing these games before the World Cup, you want to find some form. It's frustrating to constantly see the covers on the pitch.

  6. Aatif Nawaz
    Commentator on BBC Sounds

    It's a sold out fixture, if it's rained off it will be very sad for the community.

  7. Stadium of T20 World Cup opener hit by severe storm

    General view of the Grand Prairie Stadium in TexasGetty Images

    It may be of little comfort to those sheltering under the stands, but Cardiff is not the only ground affected by inclement conditions.

    The stadium which will host the opening match of the T20 World Cup in Dallas this weekend has been hit by severe weather, causing the cancellation of a official warm-up match on Tuesday.

    The United States and Bangladesh were due to meet at 16:30 BST at Grand Prairie Stadium in Texas but the match was called off because of the "conditions of the facilities".

    Warnings for strong thunderstorms, flash flooding and tornados have been given for the area.

    A spokesperson from the International Cricket Council said fencing and scaffolding at the venue had been affected but "nothing that materially impacts the staging" of the World Cup.

    You can read more on that story here.

  8. Aatif Nawaz
    Commentator on BBC Sounds

    Pakistan have played 17 games in 2024 but they don't look a settled side. They are playing without confidence.

  9. Alex Hartley
    Former England bowler on BBC Sounds

    It's frustrating, they've all played potentially only one game of cricket before flying out for the World Cup on Friday. It's set to rain on Thursday when the final game is too.

  10. By this time next week, England's T20 World Cup campaign will be underway in the rather sunnier climes of Barbados.

    Before they take on Scotland in the Caribbean they have one more match in this warm-up series, at The Oval on Thursday.

    With the first game in this series rained off and tonight's match looking dicey, England will go into the World Cup looking decidedly undercooked.

    Will that matter? A number of the squad enjoyed successful IPL seasons prior to this series.

    I suppose we'll find out...

  11. Alex Hartley
    Former England bowler on BBC Sounds

    I've watched more days of rain than games of cricket this summer.

  12. While we wait for news from Cardiff, why not enjoy some highlights of when these two teams actually got out onto the field.

    England beat Pakistan by 23 runs in Birmingham on Saturday, with Jofra Archer taking 2-28.

    You can enjoy the 60-minute iPlayer highlights here, or you can enjoy a couple of clips below.

    Either way, we've got you covered.

  13. Toss delayed

    So, what's the weather situation in Cardiff?

    It's not looking great.

    We can see fat droplets of rain rippling the puddles on the plastic sheet covers, while most of the early arrivers in the crowd have long since headed beneath the stands.

    Inevitably the toss has been delayed, we won't be starting at 18:30.

  14. I imagine most scholars would argue that The Wasteland doesn't make any sort of argument about the vagaries of cricket scheduling, but I say any work is open to interpretation.

  15. April is the cruellest month, wrote T.S. Elliot - but let me make the case for May.

    You finally get those first few days of hot weather, can venture outside without a sweater, perhaps find yourself a little sunburnt after a long, hazy day in the park.

    Inevitably, your thoughts turn to days of basking in the stands at the cricket, taking in the best of the international summer.

    And where do you find yourself? Sat under a brolly in Cardiff, staring intently at a mass of plastic sheeting, desperately willing it to move, knowing it never will.

    It's the third T20 between England and Pakistan. Maybe we'll get a game, maybe we won't. Either way, we'll keep you informed.