Zimbabwe vs Sri Lanka, 4th Match at Bulawayo, Nov 21 2016 - Ball by Ball Commentary

So the washout has changed a bit around. The winner of the next match, between West Indies and Sri Lanka will be through to the final. Zimbabwe's last match, against West Indies becomes a must-win for them. Even if West Indies lose against Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe will have to win and can't be saved by net run rate. That is all we have for today. Lots at stake on Wednesday when Sri Lanka and West Indies go head to head. Join us then. Cheers!

3.05pm Play has been called off because of a wet outfield. Pat Symcox is having a word with the on-field umpires.

Langton Rusere - No, (have) not (seen) that much rain, not here. The lightning was pretty dangerous, we had to go off the field for safety issues. At that point, we didn't make a call to call off the game, but we kept making checks to see if the outfield is good.

Michael Gough - We tried to probably give three hours for the outfield to improve with certain areas quite wet. The guys would have been in danger of slipping if we had played a shortened game.

2.34pm The next inspection is going to be at 3pm. The cut-off time for a restart is 3.54pm. Liam, who is at the ground, says it's hot and sunny now.

2.24pm Still awaiting an update from the inspection. There are no super soppers available, though, which makes the job that much harder for the groundstaff, who have been mopping the outfield with brooms.

1.50pm Still waiting word on a resumption. The sun is shining, but the umpires aren't entirely convinced. There will be an inspection at 2.10pm.

1.37pm Liam, who is at the ground, says the umpires are out in the middle, looking with furrowed brows at the pitch and talking to the captains. The problem area is the north-eastern side of the ground, where those big puddles formed during the rain. Ground staff efforts are focused there. Still awaiting word on resumption time.

12.50pm Update from Liam at the ground - "The rain has stopped, though who knows for how long. It's definitely brighter. The covers are coming off, and some groundstaff are also having a go at getting the worst of the puddles away from the outfield with brooms and hessian."

Cric27: "What's the cut off time? " It is believed that the cut-off time for a restart is 4pm.

While it rains, catch-up with Visually impaired commentator Dean du Plessis's story: A blind love for cricket

12.15pm The wait continues. The rain has returned, although it's light, and the covers are coming back on.

Liam from the ground - "Oh dear. There's more rain now. It started light, but it's quickly intensified and the covers are back on. Just before it started, the umpires, captains and coaches were squelching around the outfield to have a look."

11.40am The latest is that the rain has ceased and the covers are coming off.

11.20am The rain's easing now, but there are huge puddles on the outfield. Bear in mind that the outfield has already taken a lot of rain overnight, so it will be quite a task for the groundstaff to ready it after this downpour.

Shernawaz Gul: "so if match abandoned, Zimbabwe will have chance to qualify for finals if they defeat West Indies in last league match." True, but they will have to win by a huge margin. Their net run rate is currently -1.4.20, which is the worst among all teams. Also, Sri Lanka will have to lose to West Indies.

.@ESPNcricinfo rain easing now, but plenty of puddles on the outfield, & this HUGE one the main problem pic.twitter.com/vQzKwwJU42

— Liam Brickhill (@Gomorezvidinha) November 21, 2016

10.58am More from Liam - It is absolutely pouring now! I can hardly see out of the press box window.

D: "A few years ago I commented on Cricinfo that if you want rain in a drought-stricken area, you schedule a SL team tour. Those words still ring true to this day."

Rajiv Mel: "In the event of a washout Is there a reserve day or do the points get shared" Points get shared, Rajiv.

This picture from Liam should give you a fair idea of how bad the rain is, not likely then that we have a resumption any time soon.

#ZimvSL pic.twitter.com/IXgcUoDHhW

— Liam Brickhill (@Gomorezvidinha) November 21, 2016

Saji: "I love it that we have had international cricket in Bulawayo! But we are definitely more desperate for rain now - doing a rain dance !!!"

10.55am It has started raining now. "Here's the rain. Lightning, too, and thunder. The main problem is it doesn't look like a single big raincloud, and there's no end in sight. Just a sheet of grey," says Liam.

Thanks, Deiva. No rain, this seems like a precautionary move. And the lightning seems like it's pretty threatening.

"Petrichor in the air, lightning in my eyes, thunder rolling," tweets Liam Brickhill, who is at the ground.

10.45am A few streaks of lightning force the players off the field. No rain yet. And the covers are brought on. Akshay will be back with you for the rain watch/resumption.

Umpire Gough has to tackle the bees as well

A few bees now target Dickwella. He manages to swipe them off. He is having a tough day behind the stumps

Shanaka has changed ends

Pathirana replaces Shanaka. Around the wicket

Over to Ervine and Raza again

And here is De Silva, coming on ahead of Vandersay. He bowls offbreak. Around the wicket. One slip