The 18th match of ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022 between South Africa and Zimbabwe in Hobart ended with no result as persistent rain abandoned the game.

Set a target of 80 in nine overs by Zimbabwe, which was revised to 64 in seven overs after a brief rain interruption, the Proteas were cruising at 51 for no loss in three overs, with opener Quinton de Kock (47* off 18 balls) going strong.

However, rain entered the playing arena once again and played spoilsport this time around as it did in the 1992 World Cup semi-final and the 2003 World Cup, leading to the match being called off.

“Yes, we haven’t had a good history with rain,” Boucher said at the post-match press conference.

“But rather have it happen in the first game when we’re still in control of what we can do.”

With South Africa only 13 runs away from completing their chase, Boucher said his side was keen to carry on playing.

“We’re here to play a World Cup, and we wanted to play. It seemed like both captains wanted to play at the start. If you look at the game before (at the same ground, between Bangladesh and the Netherlands), the field was pretty wet as well.

“The bottom line is players don’t make those decisions. The officials are there to make those decisions.”

According to Mark Boucher, Zimbabwe would have also wanted to continue playing had they been in a good position.

“We were in a very good position. So if we walk away from this game thinking we were hard done by and whether the game should have taken place or not … If Zimbabwe were in our position they would have wanted to carry on playing.”

On the other hand, Zimbabwe coach Dave Houghton believes his side shouldn’t have even bowled a ball.

As per Houghton, the conditions at the Bellerive Oval were unsafe and ridiculous.

“I understand the need to try and get these games (played) for the public and the people watching on TV, and the need to try and play and get a result in slightly inclement weather,” the Zimbabwe coach said.

“But I think we overstepped that mark in this game. I thought there were four or five overs where we should have come off.

“I don’t think we should have even bowled a ball, to be fair. But the umpires are the guys making those decisions out in the middle, and they seemed to think it was fit to play. I disagree with them but there’s not much I can do off the field.

“The rain had got so heavy at one stage, it was ridiculous. For most of the evening it was misty with mizzle, but it got to the stage where we could hear it thumping on the roof in the dugout. To me that’s no longer mizzle and drizzle. That’s time to get off the field.

“I don’t think the conditions were right to carry on playing.”

(With PTI inputs)