Rain washes out Pakistan-England T20I opener

Persistent rain wreaked havoc on Wednesday, leading to the cancellation of the first T20I match between England and Pakistan at Leeds' Headingley Cricket Ground. The relentless downpour left the pitch waterlogged, preventing any play.

Not a single delivery was bowled as the match officials were forced to abandon the game due to the continuous rain, which started in the morning and showed no signs of letting up throughout the day.

Scheduled to begin at 6:30 PM local time, the match could not commence as the rain clouds continued their deluge. 

This series marks the final preparation for both teams before the T20 World Cup 2024, which kicks off on June 1. Pakistan will compete in the United States for their group stage matches, while England will head to the West Indies for theirs.

Pakistan recently concluded two T20I series—one against a young New Zealand team at home, and the other against Ireland in Dublin. These were Babar Azam's first challenges since being reappointed as the white-ball captain.

The series against New Zealand ended in a 2-2 draw, with one match abandoned due to rain, while Pakistan secured a 2-1 victory over Ireland. Despite the win, several issues remain for the team to address before the World Cup.