Cricket Scores: New Zealand vs Pakistan halted as heavy rain drenches Colombo

Play in the Super Eight between New Zealand and Pakistan was suspended by heavy rain in Colombo, disrupting the match day and the cricket scores updates fans had been following. With covers drenched and the stadium signaling a delay, organisers and teams shifted focus to weather and what comes next.

Cricket Scores: play delayed as puddles and heavy droplets swamp the outfield

Significant puddles have formed on the covers on the outfield, with big droplets visible on their surface, and it is still coming down pretty heavily in Colombo. The stadium big screen displayed the message "start of play delayed because of rain, " and later carried the plea "Rain, rain, go away. " With the ground still fully covered in Colombo, any play certainly would not resume for a while.

Mitch Santner and Salman Ali Agha seen shaking hands in the tunnel

Television cameras cut to captains Mitch Santner and Salman Ali Agha shaking hands in the tunnel. Santner gave a thumbs up to the few viewers that have clung on, and he also spoke at the toss, saying: "We came here from Chennai. It could be a little bit different here. But we know what the conditions will be. We know what challenge Pakistan will bring. It should be entertaining. They've got some very good spinners. We know that. "

Harry Brook on The Hundred and his Sunrisers Leeds deal

England captain Harry Brook spoke to the press ahead of his side's clash with Sri Lanka tomorrow and said it would be "a shame" if Pakistan players were excluded from playing in The Hundred this year. Brook, described as a Yorkshire batter in the coverage, has already been signed by Indian-owned Sunrisers Leeds, previously known as Northern Superchargers, and will be the tournament's highest-paid player after receiving a fee of £465, 000.

Pakistan players and the 11–12 March auction timeline

Pakistan players are not being considered by the four Indian-owned sides for the auction, which will take place on 11 and 12 March. The match coverage also noted that New Zealand and Pakistan "have played a fair bit in the last two years, with the Black Caps holding the edge, ever so slightly. "

Tomorrow's Super Eight fixture at Pallekele and related coverage

England's opening Super Eight fixture against Sri Lanka is scheduled for tomorrow at 09: 30 GMT in Pallekele. Matthew Henry's preview of England's first Super Eight fixture against Sri Lanka was referenced in the broadcast as additional pre-match reading. With play in Colombo delayed, attention was directed to that upcoming fixture and the wider Super Eight schedule.

Features for fans while play is suspended

While the actual cricket is on hold, a new interactive game was highlighted that invites fans to pick an international team and guess on which metric their side's players beat another player from around the world. The coverage reiterated that it was still raining in Colombo and that updates would be provided as the situation develops.