DURBAN: The first Twenty20 international between South Africa and Pakistan was abandoned because of rain at Kingsmead on Friday.

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Rain fell for most of the afternoon and was still falling at the scheduled time for the toss.

Although the pitch area was covered there were large puddles on the outfield and ground staff said it would have taken at least two hours to get the field ready if the rain stopped.

The umpires called off the match about half an hour after it was due to start.

The second and final match in the series is scheduled for Centurion on Sunday.

South Africa and Pakistan will also play five one-day internationals, starting in Bloemfontein on March 10.