Photo Credit: Twitter Profile Photo of @MohammadKaif
Former India cricketer Mohammad Kaif criticized the authorities at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium for failing to cover the entire ground as rain forced the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy Group B match between Australia and South Africa to be abandoned without a single ball being bowled.
Kaif took to social media to share an image of the stadium, calling it a “shame” that such an important match could be affected by negligence. “It’s a shame that the Rawalpindi ground isn’t fully covered. Such an important match – SA vs Aus – might go down the drain because no one addressed this issue. Was the ICC money utilised wisely by hosts?” Kaif wrote on X.
It’s a shame that the Rawalpindi ground isn’t fully covered. Such an important match – SA vs Aus – might go down the drain because no one addressed this issue. Was the ICC money utilised wisely by hosts? pic.twitter.com/nPwthd1fji
— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) February 25, 2025
His remarks come despite the fact that renovations for stadiums in Lahore, Karachi, and Rawalpindi were only recently completed, with deadlines being extended multiple times before the start of the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025. This is the first ICC event hosted by Pakistan in 29 years, with their last being the 1996 World Cup, which they co-hosted. However, India has opted to play their matches in Dubai.
In Group B, the abandoned match resulted in both Australia and South Africa earning a point each, bringing their totals to three points apiece. South Africa leads the table due to a superior net run rate. England and Afghanistan, the other two teams in the group, are set to clash in Lahore on Wednesday. The final Group B fixtures will see Australia take on Afghanistan and South Africa face England.
Meanwhile, hosts Pakistan have already been eliminated from the tournament after defeats to New Zealand and India. Their slim hopes of progressing ended when Bangladesh failed to beat New Zealand.
India and New Zealand have secured semi-final berths from Group A. India will play their semi-final in Dubai on March 4, while New Zealand will play theirs in Lahore on March 5.
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Name of Author: Cricexec Staff
