Persistent rain washed out Bangladesh’s second match in the World Cup against Australia at the Gabba in Brisbane on Saturday without a ball being bowled, reports our correspondent Azad Majumder from Brisbane.
With weather forecasts earlier in the day predicting rain clearing in the afternoon, ICC match officials were hopeful that a reduced overs match could be completed.
However, the incessant rain meant that ultimately there was no possibility of completing the required minimum of 20 overs per side.
It forced the officials to call off the game finally at 4.38pm (12:38pm Bangladesh Standard Time).
As there are no reserve days for the pool matches of the tournament, the match could not be rescheduled, which means Bangladesh and Australia will share one point from the game.
The result also means Bangladesh will go to Melbourne for their third match against Sri Lanka on February 26 unbeaten, something which would give them an added motivation in their pursuit for a place in the quarter-final.
Bangladesh captain Mashrafee bin Murtaza, however, was not amused being forced to share points.
‘It is really disappointing because we were ready to play,’ Mashrafee told reporters in Brisbane. ‘We don’t get enough opportunities to play in places like here so we were looking forward to play.’
‘We don’t know what would happen if there was game. But we had nothing to lose.
‘Australia have few quick bowlers, so playing against them in this condition could have raised the confidence of our batsmen.
‘Similarly our bowlers could have gained some confidence bowling against their some top-class batsmen,’ he said.
The wash-out threw Pool A wide open, with Bangladesh now sharing the second position alongside Australia.
Technically, they can move to the second round now only if they can beat Scotland in their one of the group matches.
Two wins in the remaining four matches will be more than enough on the other hand.
Mashrafee said he is not thinking about the Scotland game now.
‘All I know we still have to win two more matches,’ he said. ‘My focus will be now on Sri Lanka match.’
Australia will play their next game against New Zealand at Auckland on next Saturday.
‘We are really disappointed,’ said Australia batsman Steven Smith. ‘But we can’t control the weather. Now we have to wait for another week to play our next game.’
The match was crucial from the Australian point of view as they wanted to make some experiment before facing an in-from co-hosts.
Skipper Michael Clarke was scheduled to return to competitive cricket after long injury lay-off with this match, which earned it lot of attention from local media.
Hundreds of Bangladeshis, who defied inclement weather to arrive to Brisbane, also left disappointed.
In some consolation for them, the ICC said it will refund the ticket price as the match was abandoned without a ball being bowled.
With weather forecasts earlier in the day predicting rain clearing in the afternoon, ICC match officials were hopeful that a reduced overs match could be completed.
However, the incessant rain meant that ultimately there was no possibility of completing the required minimum of 20 overs per side.
It forced the officials to call off the game finally at 4.38pm (12:38pm Bangladesh Standard Time).
As there are no reserve days for the pool matches of the tournament, the match could not be rescheduled, which means Bangladesh and Australia will share one point from the game.
The result also means Bangladesh will go to Melbourne for their third match against Sri Lanka on February 26 unbeaten, something which would give them an added motivation in their pursuit for a place in the quarter-final.
Bangladesh captain Mashrafee bin Murtaza, however, was not amused being forced to share points.
‘It is really disappointing because we were ready to play,’ Mashrafee told reporters in Brisbane. ‘We don’t get enough opportunities to play in places like here so we were looking forward to play.’
‘We don’t know what would happen if there was game. But we had nothing to lose.
‘Australia have few quick bowlers, so playing against them in this condition could have raised the confidence of our batsmen.
‘Similarly our bowlers could have gained some confidence bowling against their some top-class batsmen,’ he said.
The wash-out threw Pool A wide open, with Bangladesh now sharing the second position alongside Australia.
Technically, they can move to the second round now only if they can beat Scotland in their one of the group matches.
Two wins in the remaining four matches will be more than enough on the other hand.
Mashrafee said he is not thinking about the Scotland game now.
‘All I know we still have to win two more matches,’ he said. ‘My focus will be now on Sri Lanka match.’
Australia will play their next game against New Zealand at Auckland on next Saturday.
‘We are really disappointed,’ said Australia batsman Steven Smith. ‘But we can’t control the weather. Now we have to wait for another week to play our next game.’
The match was crucial from the Australian point of view as they wanted to make some experiment before facing an in-from co-hosts.
Skipper Michael Clarke was scheduled to return to competitive cricket after long injury lay-off with this match, which earned it lot of attention from local media.
Hundreds of Bangladeshis, who defied inclement weather to arrive to Brisbane, also left disappointed.
In some consolation for them, the ICC said it will refund the ticket price as the match was abandoned without a ball being bowled.
Source: New Age
