T20 World Cup: South Africa-Zimbabwe rained off in strange fashion

The Men's T20 World Cup match between South Africa and Zimbabwe was abandoned due to rain.

The game was reduced to nine overs a side due to persistent yet light rain.

South Africa's target was reduced to 64 off seven overs after a short delay, but heavier rain came back.

Zimbabwe opted to bowl only spin to protect their seamers after Richard Ngarava slipped and injured his thigh while following through on his follow through.

"If we don't have 11 players for the next game, we may as bowl underarm or we won't have any players at all," said spinner Sikandar Raza.

Sean Williams put his arm out in protest when South Africa was on top of the game. The players were taken off by the umpires.

The minimum number of overs needed to constitute a game in T20 cricket is five.

Without the game being reduced by two more overs, the target was not revised further and they had to settle for a no result.

The Zimbabwe and Pakistan teams will play each other on Thursday at noon.

A bad look for cricket

Umpires are often criticized for taking too long during rain delays and being too cautious.

The end of the game was not a good look for cricket and the safety of players appeared to be compromised.

It's frustrating to have 12 overs of play but not get a result because the forecast was for rain.

After several minutes of treatment to the stricken bowler, play continued for another over, even though the rain was at its heaviest.

South Africa will feel hard done by as they were cruising in the chase, with De Kock hitting a magnificent 47 off 18 balls, but Zimbabwe would have been upset if the game had ended.

"I understand the need to try and get these games on for the public and TV people and to play in slightly adverse weather to try and get a result but I felt we overstepped that mark."

I don't think we should have even tried to bowl a ball, but the umpires seem to think that it's okay to play, so I think they made the right decision. We don't agree with them, but there isn't much I can do.

At one point, the rain was so heavy that it was ridiculous. It was misty for most of the night, but when it got to the stage you could hear it thumping on the roof. It is time to leave the field.

Zimbabwe's batting display was disorganized earlier. As they fell to 19-4, they were intent on lapping and ramping South Africa's quick bowler.

Williams collided with Madhevere in the middle of the ground before David Miller's throw ran the former out.

Madhevere and Shumba both understood the need to play more orthodox cricket shots in order to improve their score.

"We were in a very good position, so when you walk away from this game, you're going to be thinking 'we're hard done by', whether the game should have been played or not."

It was taken away from us when we were so close.

It's not a do- or-die game for us, we're in control of what happens for us at the World Cup.