T20 World Cup 2022 Highlights, New Zealand vs Afghanistan: Rain plays spoilsport as NZ vs AFG match abandoned

Okay folks, we have some bad news! The rain has played spoilsport at the MCG and it hasn't stopped. So the match has been abandoned!

The rain hasn't stopped yet! The cut-off time for a five-over game is around 4:34 PM IST.

Its still raining in MCG and it doesn't seem like it will stop!

The rain is spoilsport and the downpour is back again. Its seems to be heavy!

The downpour has stopped and the inspection will take place at 3:30 PM IST. Although, there is more rain expected to come!

Its still raining and it looks like it won't stop anytime soon! The covers are back on!

The covers have come off and there will be an inspection at 2:50 PM IST.

NZ star Mitchell is up for selection after recovering from a broken finger.

Balbirnie was in fantastic form and hammered 62 runs off 47 balls vs England. His innings included five fours and two sixes!

The covers are still on and its pouring down at the MCG.

Toss has been delayed due to rain. Also, Ireland defeated England via DLS method, winning by five runs in a rain-hit match at MCG!

Ahead of the match, Boult said, "They're very experienced players. Definitely not an opposition that we'll be taking lightly. They've got guys that can clear it out of the stadium, and they have a very good bowling attack, as well. It is business as usual from our point of view, but it's definitely a big game for us that we want to keep making sure we're doing the things that we're speaking about."

"We've been coming here for many years. I've been playing for New Zealand for nearly 12 years and have never been able to beat Australia in a white ball game in Australia. To do it on that stage, yeah, it was probably one of the more prouder moments in the Black Cap strip for me, to come in and set the tone in such a big game of the World Cup.

"And I know the boys were buzzing, but it quickly gets moved on, and like I said, the focus switches to the next game, and after that it's going to be the same thing. Just looking forward to, I suppose, repeating those performances and keep on setting that tone and go from there", he further added.

Ahead of the match, Nabi said, "At that time in Big Bash, it was drier. The ball swings early on, for one or two overs, but after that it will be a little bit slower, less help for spinners, and the ball won't swing that much. But here the pitch is new and also a little bit green, as well, and also the weather is cold. It takes four or five overs, the ball swinging."

"I believe we're in a new strip again. It looked like there was a bit of pace and a bit of bounce in the surface, which is always exciting as a fast bowler", he further added.

Zadran will need to bring his best game today and was resolute vs England. He registered 32 runs off 32 balls as AFG could only post 112 in 19.4 overs. He will be hoping to get better support today!

All eyes will be on the New Zealand bowlers, who were dominant vs Australia. Southee and Santner will be looking to build on their three-wicket hauls!

Both sides have faced each other only once in T20Is and that too in a T20 World Cup. In the last T20 World Cup, New Zealand defeated Afghanistan by eight wickets.

Hello and good afternoon everyone! Welcome to our live coverage of today's T20 World Cup Super 12 match between New Zealand and Afghanistan, straight from Melbourne. Stay tuned folks, for some exciting cricket!