Rain washes out final T20I in Malahide
Incessant rain in Malahide, Dublin forced the abandonment of the final T20I between Ireland and India without a ball being bowled. Match officials Jareth McCready and Paul Reynolds as well as Match Referee Graham McCrea took the call after a final inspection at 17.45 local time. While the shower had passed, it had left plenty of damp patches on the outfield. The decision meant India clinched the series by a 2-0 margin. While the series itself was already decided after two games, Wednesday’s encounter was an opportunity for both teams to try out players as they build up to next year’s T20 World Cup in the West Indies and USA. Among the India squad selected for the series, keeper-bat Jitesh Sharma, all-rounder Shahbaz Ahmed, and fast bowlers Avesh Khan and Mukesh Kumar didn’t get a game. The match was also a chance for the Asia Cup-bound returning bowling stars, Jasprit Bumrah and Prasidh Krishna, to add more miles under their feet as they ramp up their bowling fitness and rhythm following long-term injuries. The Asia Cup squad announced recently will assemble at the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru for a five-day skills camp starting August 24 before jetting out to Sri Lanka for the continental championship.
