South Africa vs Zimbabwe: Match abandoned as rain beats Proteas in World Cup again

Rain beat South Africa, depriving m of a victory in a World Cup match one more time.

Set a target of 80 in nine overs by Zimbabwe, which was revised to 64 in seven overs after a brief rain interruption in ir opening T20 World Cup match, South Africa were cruising at 51 for no loss in three overs, with opener Quinton de Kock going strong at an 18-ball unbeaten 47. Rain, n, turned out to be ir real opponents on day.

So, three deces after y were rained out of 1992 ODI World Cup semifinals on remission into international cricket, South Africa were again done in by elements, this time in a group game though.

It's been 30 years since heartbreak in Sydney against England, but rains continue to come in way of Proteas.

All-rounder Wesley Mhevere top-scored with an 18-ball unbeaten 35 and pulled Zimbabwe to 79 for 5 after a horror start in rain-curtailed nine-over-a-side contest. 

South Africa were 24 for no loss when heavens opened up first, and soon after play resumed following brief interruption, de Kock carted Richard Ngarava for four boundaries, including three on trot.

But match was called off after it started to rain again.

Earlier, having got a life on 11, Mhevere capitalised on that to prop up Zimbabwe after y were tottering at 19 for four in fourth over.

game was shortened after rain delayed start by more than two hours at Bellerive Oval, which was drowned in water before groundsmen got it match rey. 

powerplay was reduced to three overs per side with four bowlers allowed to bowl a maximum of two overs each.

In a surprising move, Zimbabwe skipper Craig Ervine opted to bat first despite threat of rain looming over and possibility of Duckworth/Lewis method coming into picture. decision backfired as y lost top four batters with hardly anything on board.

Lungi Ngidi (2/20) was wrecker-in-chief early on, having taken wickets of Regis Chakabva (8) and Sikandar Raza for a second-ball duck. Ngidi h Chakabva caught behind right after opener h hit pacer for a six over deep midwicket. 

This was after Wayne Parnell gave Proteas ir first breakthrough by removing Ervine (2).

Possessing a potent four-pronged pace attack, South Africans ran through ir overs quickly, even as Zimbabwe top-order struggled to get its act right.

Promoted to number three, Sean Williams was run out after a horrendous call by Wesley Mhevere, as David Miller's throw at striker's end found batter short by a few yards in fourth over.

Zimbabwe got two boundaries in next over to somewhat break shackles.

Meanwhile, Ngidi dropped Mhevere in left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj's first and only over of game. batter was on 11, and he me full use of life by smashing Kagiso Raba for 17 runs in innings' eighth over, including hitting pacer for a six and two fours.