Rain washes out T20 World Cup clash between Afghanistan and Ireland

Afghanistan suffered their second washout of the Twenty20 World Cup on Friday when their clash with Ireland was abandoned without a ball being bowled at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

Both teams receive one point so Ireland, who upset England by five runs at the same ground on Wednesday, moving to second in the Group 1 table.

They sit alongside table-toppers New Zealand, who face Sri Lanka in Sydney on Saturday, on three points.

Group 1 clash between Afghanistan and Ireland has been abandoned due to persistent rain in Melbourne ??#T20WorldCup | #AFGvIRE pic.twitter.com/Kk4io0UP91

Afghanistan's clash with New Zealand this week was also washed out, leaving them on two points after losing their tournament opener to England.

Showers are forecast for much of the day, potentially also threatening the blockbuster evening showdown between Australia and England at the same ground, with the outfield currently sodden.