The Metropolitan Bank Pro40 encounter between Matabeleland Tuskers and Midwest Rhinos at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo was abandoned with only eight balls bowled due to some damp patches on the outfield which the umpires deemed unsafe to the players.
Tuskers, who had won all their previous three matches, were on five runs for the loss of one wicket in 1.2 overs when the umpires took the players off the field. After heavy rains had pounded the pitch the previous night, two visible patches were left deep on the outfield and this saw the match not able to start on scheduled time.
When the match started two hours late, Midwest Rhinos skipper Vusi Sibanda won the toss and sent Matabeleland Tuskers in to bat.
The hosts were in trouble as early as the first over. Ian Nicolson enticed Terrence Duffin with a delivery wide on the off stump and the left hander could only get the ball into the hands of Gary Ballance at gully to depart for a five-ball duck with Tuskers only having two runs on board.
The players were however off the field 1.2 overs into the match after Rhinos fielder Remembrance Nyathi slipped on the wet patch and injured his right ankle while trying to field a ball struck by Tuskers captain Gavin Ewing and the match never resumed.