NEW DELHI: Salman Ali Agha, leading Pakistan, won the toss and chose to bat against New Zealand in their crucial T20 World Cup Super 8 clash on Saturday.

Pakistan made one change to their XI, bringing in Fakhar Zaman in place of Khawaja Nafay.

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New Zealand, meanwhile, effected three changes. Skipper Mitchell Santner returned after missing the previous game against Canada due to a stomach issue, while Lockie Ferguson and Ish Sodhi were also included in the playing XI.

However, moments after the toss, dark clouds gathered and rain began to fall steadily, forcing the ground staff to rush in with the covers. Within minutes, the entire playing area was covered, bringing an abrupt halt to proceedings before a ball could be bowled.

With both teams eyeing vital points in the Super 8 stage, weather interruptions could prove costly. If the rain persists and the match is washed out, both sides will have to settle for one point each, a result that may significantly impact the semifinal race.

Teams:

New Zealand: Tim Seifert (wk), Finn Allen, Rachin Ravindra, Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, Mitchell Santner (c), Jimmy Neesham, Matt Henry, Ish Sodhi, Lockie Ferguson.

Pakistan: Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha (c), Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Shadab Khan, Usman Khan (wk), Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Salman Mirza, Usman Tariq.

(With PTI Inputs)