NEW DELHI: New Zealand and Pakistan had to settle for a point each after persistent rain washed out the opening Group 2 Super Eights clash of the T20 World Cup on Saturday.

Under overcast skies and a light drizzle, Pakistan won the toss and chose to bat first.

However, the drizzle soon turned into steady rain, and with conditions refusing to improve, officials were forced to abandon the contest without a single ball being bowled.

Earlier, Pakistan had made one change to their playing eleven, with Fakhar Zaman replacing Khawaja Nafay.

New Zealand, on the other hand, effected three changes as skipper Mitchell Santner returned after missing the previous game against Canada due to a stomach ailment, while Lockie Ferguson and Ish Sodhi were also drafted into the XI.

All those tactical tweaks will now be put on hold, with Pakistan set to take on England at the same venue on February 24.

New Zealand will travel to Colombo to meet hosts Sri Lanka on February 25.

The shared points have left both sides in a tighter situation heading into their remaining two Super Eights fixtures.

Another washout, not unlikely given Sri Lanka’s unpredictable weather, or even a single defeat from here could seriously dent their hopes of making the semifinals.

(With PTI Inputs)