DHARAMSALA: Rain and a damp outfield forced the abandonment of the first Twenty20 international between India and South Africa without a ball being bowled at HPCA Stadium on Sunday.

Weather threatened to play havoc with the start of South Africa’s tour of India since the tourists arrived at the scenic hill station in the Himalayan foothills last week and the anticipated rain duly arrived on Sunday afternoon.

Covers spread across the majority of the ground greeted the teams and spectators and the inclement weather prevented the toss from taking place.

Officials called off the match nearly 50 minutes after the official start time of 07:00 pm (1330 GMT).

“The rains continue and the match has officially been called off. See you in Chandi­garh for the 2nd T20I,” the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) said on its official Twitter handle.

The three-match series moves to Mohali for the second T20 international which will be played on Wednesday. The final match will be played in Bengaluru next Sunday.

South Africa, captained by wicketkeeper-batsman Quinton de Kock, are ranked third in T20s, one rung ahead of the Virat Kohli-led India.

Published in Dawn, September 16th, 2019