The highly anticipated finale of the T20 series between England and India ended in frustration as relentless rain in Manchester forced the match to be abandoned without a ball being bowled.
Fans who had packed into Emirates Old Trafford were left disappointed as the weather refused to relent, with umpires eventually calling off play at 6:35 PM after multiple inspections.
Series Ends in Anti-Climax
The abandonment means the three-match series finishes level at 1-1, with India having won the second match in Birmingham by 49 runs after England took the opener in Southampton.
"It's obviously disappointing for everyone involved," said England captain Jos Buttler. "We were looking forward to a great contest to decide the series, but the weather had other ideas."
Missed Opportunities
The washout represents a missed opportunity for both teams to gain valuable momentum ahead of the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup in Australia.
India's stand-in captain Hardik Pandya commented: "While it's frustrating not to get a decider, we'll take the positives from our performances and move forward."
Weather Woes Continue
This isn't the first time Manchester's unpredictable weather has disrupted cricket matches. The city's reputation for rain interruptions continues to frustrate players and fans alike.
Ground staff worked tirelessly to try and make play possible, but persistent drizzle and a saturated outfield made conditions unsafe for the players.
What's Next for Both Teams?
England now turn their attention to the Test series against South Africa, while India prepare for their Asia Cup campaign in the UAE.
Both teams will hope for better weather as they continue their preparations for the global tournament later this year.
