IPL Qualifier 1 at Kolkata cancelled due to rain

Kolkata  :  The Indian Premier League (IPL) Qualifier 1 between Kings XI Punjab and Kolkata Knight Riders scheduled here Tuesday was cancelled due to inclement weather and will now be played Wednesday.

“Match referee Roshan Mahanama has announced the cancellation of the match because of rain. He made the decision after inspecting the ground along with the umpires. The match will now be played Wednesday,??? Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) joint secretary Subir Ganguly said.

The match has now been scheduled for 4 p.m. Wednesday. The organisers have also announced that tickets for the original match day (Tuesday) will be valid for Wednesday. Refunds will only be made to ticket purchasers if the match is cancelled without a ball being bowled.

Both the teams had to cancel their match-eve practice Monday after the Eden Gardens was lashed with rain. The scenario remained the same Tuesday with the ground getting soaked following frequent spells of rain.

If it is not possible to complete the Qualifier 1, Kings XI, having finished on top of the league, will advance through to the final to be played in Bangalore June 1 while Knight Riders will play the Qualifier 2 May 30 against the winner of the Eliminator.