USA-Ireland match washed out, dashing Pakistan's T20 World Cup hopes

USA qualify for Super Eights stage along with group leader India

Pakistan's hopes of qualifying for the Super Eight stage of the T20 World Cup were dashed after the match between the USA and Ireland was washed out in Florida due to bad weather and wet outfield.

India top the group with six points while the US are second with five points, which means third-placed Pakistan (two points) cannot finish in the top two even if they beat Ireland on Sunday in their final group game.

The start of Friday's T20 World Cup match between the USA and Ireland was delayed as ground staff struggled to remove standing water from the outfield.

South Florida has experienced heavy rain and flooding, leading to the abandonment of the game between Sri Lanka and Nepal at Lauderhill on Tuesday.

Heavy showers earlier on Friday morning forced umpires to inspect the pitch multiple times before ultimately deciding to call off the match.

Also read: Pakistan cricket team trains indoor before decider against Ireland

With the Group A game abandoned, the USA qualified for the Super Eights stage along with group leader India. Pakistan, Ireland, and Canada have been eliminated.

The USA reached the last eight in their debut appearance in the T20 World Cup largely thanks to their shock win over 2009 champions Pakistan.

The early exit is a bitter disappointment though for Pakistan, who were beaten finalists in the tournament two years ago.

Fans who had waited patiently inside the Central Broward Stadium were instructed to stay in the facility and in shelter due to thunder and lightning which accompanied the torrential rain.

The two teams will receive a point each meaning the USA will progress to the Super Eights along with Group A winners India who are due to play Canada on Saturday in what is now a dead rubber.