Handshakes in the two changerooms. Not the Champions Trophy they were expecting. At least Pakistan and Bangladesh don't bow out of without a point. But, that's the end of the road for Pakistan and Bangladesh as far as this tournament goes. We will be live nice and early for tomorrow where Australia will take on Afghanistan in Lahore. Till then, this is me Ashish Pant, signing off on behalf of Andrew Miller and Vairavan. Ciao!

We do have the two captains speak despite the washout.

Here's the Pakistan captain Mohammad Rizwan: "We wanted to do well and perform well in from of our nation. The expectations are very high. We didn't perform well and it is disappointing for us. [Way forward] You can learn from your mistakes. We have made mistakes in the last few games. Hopefully, we can learn from these. We are next going to New Zealand and hopefully we can perform there and the mistakes that we did against New Zealand here in Pakistan, we can learn from that. And we will do better in New Zealand. [Massive injuries] The guy who has been performing from the last few months in Australia, South Africa, Zimbabwe… the team was combined and then suddenly when someone is injured, the team will be disturbed. As a captain, you can look forward to that as well. One side you can say that the team is disturbed, but this no excuse. Yes, Fakhar Zaman and Saim Ayub were injured, but we will learn from this. [Happy with the bench strength] This a very tough question. The bench strength in Pakistan… let me see the five teams in the Pakistan Cup. We want improvements in different things. If we want to improve, and for Pakistan to have a high standard, we need awareness, professionalism. We see that in the Champions Cup, but we need more improvement. [How are you holding up?] We are all very disappointed. We are all here for the nation. Pakistan is our priority and the expectation from us is very high. We are upset and we are accepting that we didn't do well. Hopefully, we will do more hard work and comeback."

Bangladesh captain, Najmul Hossain Shanto: I am very disappointed. We really wanted to play this match, but can't do anything about the weather. [CT'25] The way we held the game for long periods of the game was very inspiring for us in the two matches. We hope we can learn from our mistakes. We will make a proper plan and execute the plan. [Bowling options] We have always struggled with our fast bowling unit, but in the last few years a lot of fast bowlers are coming through. Some of the fats bowlers back home are doing very well. The likes of Taskin, Rana coming in . Fizz is there. We have a very good bowling attack. I hope they will do the job and do the best for the team. [Rotation in the middle]I have to practice properly in the nets. We have to think about strike rotation. It is very important and I hope the boys will understand what we need to do.

3.35pm Handshakes in the two changerooms. Not the Champions Trophy they were expecting. At least Pakistan and Bangladesh don't bow out of without a point. But, that's the end of the road for Pakistan and Bangladesh as far as this tournament goes. We will be live nice and early for tomorrow where Australia will take on Afghanistan in Lahore. Till then, this is me Ashish Pant, signing off on behalf of Andrew Miller and Vairavan. Ciao!

Guruprasad S: "Hey, when you get in touch with Andrew Fidel Fernando, please tell him that his 2016 classic piece on Bangladesh turning out Mashrafe's leading light remains my favourite, and that he should be given some form of lifetime achievement award, just for writing that masterpiece." Just pinged this to Fidel, who says: "Whoah! That is some memory. I remember writing that piece very well, but didn't think anyone else would remember almost nine years later! Please tell Guruprasad thanks, and that I am very flattered."

3.30pm Righto, we have an announcement and it is not one that you wanted to hear. Rain has the final say and the match has been called off without a ball being bowled. One point will be shared by both teams. And FWIW, Danyal Rasool now informs that it is absolutely started pouring in Lahore. A few fans have braved the rain and are hanging around. But it's a damp squib all around

Some more optimism from Muzaffar: "I am just a couple of miles away from the stadium. The rain is getting heavier here. It will be a miracle if we can see any cricket today"

Dan: "Did we get the comedy masterpiece that Fidel was writing during AusvSa?" It's coming, says Fidel.

3.15pm Oh, hello everyone. I literally have no updates for you. It's still raining, harder than ever, the covers are still firmly in place and there are now puddles forming all around the covers. It's not looking good, let's be fair. There is a small smattering of fans, who are enjoying the rain. I could also hear some 'Babar, Babar' chants, but that's about it. Oh, and we sure have started to lose overs.

3pm Fidel has the latest... and 'late' is the operative word. This is an ex-cricket match. Ashish is back in the hot damp-seat for now.

"Raining super hard now. Hopefully sensible decisions are made and this gets called off in the next hour. The smattering of fans that had filed in and spent the entire time under umbrellas and rain gear are now slowly shuffling off."

Saif Mohammad: "Its easssssily a washout. :p" Nice try, but I sense an impostor in our midst!

2.42pm Any news? Don't be silly.

Darpan: "Thanks for giving me today's dose of existential crisis, Andrew!" You are very welcome. I am always available as a prognosticator of DOOOM!

Talking of WhatsApp groups, I promised a shout-out to my Camel team-mate, Saif Mohammad, the Soothsayer of Hyderabad, whose predictions are on a par with a Steve Harmison Ashes loosener as the most astoundingly inaccurate things in cricket. "It's eassssy England's game..." was yesterday's gem, moments before Harry Brook's dismissal.

Who knows, if I can persuade him to predict a washout, there might be hope?

2.31pm More visuals from the ground, and could it be a more futile picture? Slate grey skies, floodlights glistening on the dank covers, where the splashes in the puddles confirm the steady drip, drip, drip of hopelessness. The Pakistan and Bangladesh flags fly proudly over the stands, but the enthusiastic fluttering merely confirms how much wind and wetness is blowing across Rawalpindi. There are still a fair few fans in the stands, though a group of them seem to be entirely covered by a tarpaulin. Or maybe that's just the groundstaff, gently weeping on the fringes.

Apart from that, we're all good to go!

habib: "sitting in Rawalpindi, no chance of cricket today,, it's pouring out there... but happy that Pakistan and Bangladesh will get a point each,, at least they have something now haha "

Ali: "The whole winter season was extremely dry here in Rawalpindi, Islamabad but now this is the first spell of rain in Twin Cities. Even govt. putted emergency due to dryage and shortage of water and imposed ban on washing vehicles at home."

2.16pm I'm reminded of a Steve Bell cartoon in The Guardian, of two sheep in a boggy field, bemoaning the futility of existence. What are we doing here?

More to the point, what is Andrew Fidel Fernando doing there? "A week in Pakistan and not an over of cricket.... I should never be sent on tour again," says our intrepid roving reporter, whose seminal work covering the shuffling of covers at the Asia Cup in 2023 remains the stuff of Cricinfo WhatsApp group legend. The groundstaff at the SSC would never stand for this nonsense...

In case visuals are your thing, Karthik Krishnaswamy has just published a picture of the square on the Live Report. It is a thing of brutalist beauty, like Preston Bus Station.

2.07pm Afternoon all. Does it ever. Just back from a typically dank February dogwalk. Even the hound is bored of traipsing through mizzle. But I guess he still looks forward to it, deep down. I wonder if the same can be said for these two teams...

Fidel says it is drizzling again, and with that, please welcome Andrew Miller in comms for the first time today. Hey, Miller, does the Pindi weather feel like home?

Cheema: "Pakistan failed due to bad team selection and injuries to two of their best players in Saim and Fakhar."

Amit: "3 things where Pakistan have not addressed. 1. Lack of Intent 2. No Execution (rather - no plan B .. C... D) 3. Balance of the side - you can't go in with an unbalanced side in ICC Tournaments."

2pm Aaqib Javed was grilled in his press conference last evening, which went on for 35 minutes. He spoke at length about the various permutations and combinations in selection that could have improved the team's output this tournament. But, clearly still hurting from the loss to India on Sunday, he made the point that India's XI had a far greater body of work on their resume than Pakistan's. Have a read here. Where do you guys think Pakistan have lacked in this tournament? Let us know in the comments section.

Azhar Mahmood, the Pakistan Assistant coach: I can't predict Pindi weather. It is not looking great. We might get some game out it, no one knows. We haven't played well in this tournament. We have played good cricket in this format, but in the tournament it has not gone well because of injuries. Against India we took a lot of pressure on ourselves. But we know where we need to improve. It is all about adapting and taking responsibility. Aaqib nailed his press conference yesterday. It is always tough. We haven't play well in ICC tournaments in the last four times. It has been shocking for us. But you see how much chopping and changing that has happened, it is not ideal. We need to trust. There is a lot of pressure when playing international cricket. If you give anyone a chance, give them for six to eight months, and you will get results. Whoever might be. Here you have two bad games, people say drop them. You can take 6 months to identify the talent, but you need to stick with that.

MAT: "I've seen a lot of criticism directed at players, but it's important to understand that they are not the ones selecting themselves.The reality is that we lack a stable cricketing system--almost every year, a new domestic structure is introduced. There are no dedicated coaches to nurture talent, with mentors assigned for only two weeks. At the national level, we see a new coach every few months, which explains the stagnation of player development. Blame where due. "

1.45pm Not much positivity from Fidel, I am afraid. He says: The fiddling with the covers was mainly to dry the water that had pooled on them. Stadium lights are off, it's super gloomy, the super sopper is running around, but there is no urgency to any of these actions, though there is no drizzle at this very moment.

1.40pm It is official that the toss has been delayed due to the inclement weather. ICYMI, the South Africa-Australia fixture on Tuesday right here was washed out due to rain. It has been raining on and off in the last few days. Fingers crossed we get something out of this game.

1.30pm There seems to be some activity on the ground with the covers being fiddled with. But, Fidel says that is still drizzling. And on cue, the covers have been put back in place. Oh, hang on... Fidel further informs that there is an inspection at 2pm PST and that the drizzle has stopped for now.

1.25pm The result of this game will have no bearing on Group A. New Zealand and India have already qualified for the semis, and Pakistan and Bangladesh have been knocked out. So, this was game was essentially a dead rubber with Pakistan and Bangladesh hoping to sign off on a positive note. The two teams haven't made their own luck at the tournament, looking out of ideas at most times, and are heading into their last fixture knowing the result doesn't really matter. Here's Mohammad Isam's preview.

Hamza : "I live about 5km from stadium and it's been drizzling for about 24 hours now, and in last 2 hours there have been 4-5 heavy pour downs each lasting a few minutes, while the light drizzle stays around."

1.15pm The two umpires are also out for a stroll, one with his brolly up and Michael Gough, without one. They are checking the damp patches on the outfield.

Waqas: "Outside the stadium, drizzling, very unfortunate for Pindi fans "

maddy: "The weather sums up what this Champions Trophy has been for Pak. Nothing has gone right for them. Feel sorry for their fans especially who looked forward to this tournament for so long. "

1.10pm The two teams have arrived at the ground, but there is hardly any activity going on around the playing area. I can see Jaker Ali, Mushtaq Ahmed and Nahid Rana having a word. No umbrellas but the hoodies are on. Fidel says it's not pouring. But there is steady heavy drizzle. And the skies are very gloomy. It seems to be a waiting game for now. But, think we are definitely in for a shortened game.

1pm Hello and welcome to the rain watch party ninth match of the Champions Trophy. Pakistan are all set to take on Bangladesh in Rawalpindi, but as things stand, it looks like we are in for a long delay. Andrew Fidel Fernando, our eyes and ears at Rawalpindi, sent out a warning around half an hour back which said: Bleaker than Tuesday. Live pictures also have the playing area fully covered with no work on it at all. And with that positivity, let's start the build up to the Pakistan-Bangladesh clash. I am Ashish Pant and will soon be joined by Andrew Miller.