17:13 Local Time, 12:13 GMT, 17:43 IST: This was coming. Rain has had the last say and the match has been called off. It rained since morning and it never really stopped to give the groundstaff any chance. With the cut-off time being 7:32 pm, there was no way this ground could have been readied for a 20-over contest. Both teams share 1 point each and it means that tomorrow's encounter between England and Afghanistan has turned into a virtual knockout with the loser becoming the third team to be eliminated. Group A has already been decided, this washout does complicate things in Group B. It has been raining in Lahore as well, but we'll hope for some cricket tomorrow. For now, cheers and bye..

17:00 Local Time, 12:00 GMT, 17:30 IST: We're two hours away from the cut-off time and it's still raining in Rawalpindi. I fear we're heading closer towards the first washout of the tournament.

16:30 Local Time, 11:30 GMT, 17:00 IST: We're three hours away from the cut-off time, but the rain is steady and the forecast ain't any bettere

16:15 Local Time, 11:15 GMT, 16:45 IST: Nothing much to report, the rain is still falling and we continue to lose time and overs.  

15:45 Local Time, 10:45 GMT, 16:15 IST: We're hearing that the cut-off time for a 20-over contest is 7:32 pm local. We're already losing overs and this rain hasn't abated one bit

15:30 Local Time, 10:30 GMT, 16:00 IST: There's no bright news to share with you folks! Conditions continue to remain gloomy. We will keep you posted with further updates...

15:00 Local Time, 10:00 GMT, 15:30 IST: It's already 3pm local time. We will start to lose overs now. No improvement in conditions yet.

14:30 Local Time, 09:30 GMT, 15:00 IST: There's nothing new to update

14:00 Local Time, 09:00 GMT, 14:30 IST:

13:50 Local Time, 08:50 GMT, 14:20 IST: The waiting game continues!

13:30 Local Time, 08:30 GMT, 14:00 IST: The toss was supposed to take place now but it's still drizzling.

13:15 Local Time, 08:15 GMT, 13:45 IST: Well, seems like there's a still drizzle around in Rawalpindi.

Both teams have strong batting lineups and that raises the expectations of a high-scoring clash. Whenever these two teams lock horns in an ICC event, there’s always excitement and thrill around! In the 2023 ODI WC semi-final, the Proteas were restricted to a modest score of 212 by Australia. The Protea bowlers however put their best foot forward and pushed the Aussies to the hilt. Australia managed to scamper through to a tense 3-wicket victory in the death overs. Will we see a run-fest this time around? Whichever team wins today, they will bolster their chances to make it to the semi-finals. The team losing today’s contest will face a do-or-die situation in their final group game. Let’s hope the rain clouds stay away. Toss and team lineups will be announced shortly...

South Africa, on the other hand, won their opening game with flying colours. They have been exposed against quality spin in the past but their batters ensured that they keep the Afghani spinners largely at bay. Rickelton’s brilliant century laid the foundation while their middle-order put in a solid performance. The Proteas defended 315 with consummate ease, scripting a 107-run win that boosted their net run-rate to a nicety. Their seamers prospered while their lone spinner in Maharaj was frugal.

13:00 Local Time, 08:00 GMT, 13:30 IST: Fasten your seatbelts folks as we gear up for the blockbuster clash between Australia and South Africa in Rawalpindi. To start with, there's some rain in the radar but let's hope it doesn't play spoilsport. Before the tournament began, there were question marks raised over Australia’s pedigree to go the distance in the marquee event – Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc were all out and Stoinis announced his retirement from ODI cricket. Their new-look bowling attack was tested against England in the last game. But, the fact that their batters flourished enabled them to record the highest run-chase (352) in the history of the competition. The surface here is usually conducive for strokeplay. The Aussie bowling attack can once again come under the pump but they are a champion side who know how to thrive under testing circumstances.