India chasing the moderate target set by New Zealand of 214 for victory off 50 overs, were cruising along merrily towards their second successive win of the tournament at 131 for two off 24.2 overs when a heavy shower accompanied by strong gusts of wind, swept the ground leaving it saturated with pools of water.
Tournament rules require a minimum of 25 overs to be bowled by either side for a winning decision to be reached. India found themselves unlucky in that aspect as four balls were yet to be bowled for the required number of overs.However at the end of 25 overs India's total should have been 147 for them to emerge winners according to the rules based on the 'Parabola Formula', if not New Zealand would have won. The result meant that New Zealand gained their first points in the tournament when they shared the two points with India until the unexpected downpour which caught even the ground staff napping.
India were on course for a convincing win with Sachin Tendulkar leading the charge with a blazing half-century off 33 balls. The former captain was in devastating form reaching his 50 with a swept six off Harris. However the bowler had his revenge three balls later when he brought off a stunning one handed return catch to send India's champion batsman to the pavilion for 53 scored with the aid of three sixes and an equal number of fours.
Skipper Mohamed Azharuddin maintained the tempo with an unbeaten 53 off 54 balls (4 fours) before the shower ended it all.