England vs Pakistan: 3rd T20I washed out due to rain, T20 World Cup tune-up affected

The T20 World Cup preparation for England and Pakistan took a hit on Tuesday, May 28 after the 3rd of the four-match T20I series was abandoned due to rain in Cardiff. The two teams have not played competitive cricket since May 26 as the first T20I in Leeds was also washed out due to rain.

A steady spell of showers in Cardiff did not even allow the toss to take place as the two sets of players endured a frustrating wait at the Sophia Gardens. Notably, England were without their captain Jos Buttler, who took a break due to the birth of his third child.

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England lead the 4-match series 1-0 after having beaten Pakistan in the second T20I in Birmingham on June 25, successfully defending a 183-run target.

Interestingly, both England and Pakistan don’t have any scheduled warm-up matches for the T20 World Cup, starting June 1 in the USA and the West Indies. They were among the three teams along with New Zealand to not have an official warm-up match ahead of the show-piece event.

Thus, England and Pakistan will hope that the fourth T20I, scheduled for Thursday at the Kennington Oval in London takes place without any weather interruption. However, the forecast for Thursday in the capital city doesn’t look promising.

While Pakistan headed to England after playing 3 T20Is in Ireland, England players assembled at home for the ongoing T20I series after completing their Indian Premier League commitments. Pakistan also played a 5-match T20I series against New Zealand at home during the IPL.

England will open their T20 World Cup against Scotland on June 4 in Barbados. Pakistan begin their campaign in the tournament against co-hosts USA in New York on June 6 before they face arch-rivals India on June 9.