Pakistan needed to thrash co-hosts Zimbabwe in Bulawayo to progress from the first round. But Waqar Younis's team had no chance as prolonged rain caused abandonment and a share of the points to both teams, which also ensured England's departure.

Earlier in the tournament, West Indies failed to pick up four points as expected against Bangladesh because of rain abandonment, a result that contributed to their first round exit.

``This is the biggest World Cup ever, with 54 scheduled matches involving 14 teams playing in three countries,'' Bacher said in a statement yesterday.

``Of the 43 days from the opening ceremony to the final, cricket is due to be played on 33 of those days. Logistically, it would have been impossible from an organisational point of view to include reserve days for matches in the group stage.

``As it has turned out, only two matches of the 40 played so far have been rained off. These were the fixtures between West Indies and Bangladesh and today's game between Zimbabwe and Pakistan.''