New Zealand were were 194 for 2 after 28.4 overs when rain halted any further play, and the sides earned a point each in their opening Group A match at the North West University Oval in Potchefstroom.

Ollie White was top scorer with 80, while Japan's Yugandhar Retharekar took one wicket for 17 runs.

There were decisive results in the other three group matches, although two were modified because of the conditions.

The Group B match at Diamond Oval, Kimberley, between West Indies and Australia was reduced to 49 overs per side, and it was the side from the Caribbean who benefited.

Australia put up a target of 179 after 35.4 overs - but were overhauled with three overs remaining.

A score of 61 by Nyeem Young helped the West Indies to 180 and their first two points, with group matches against England and Nigeria to come.

Jake Fraser-McGurk had been the standout batsman for Australia, scoring 84, as Jayden Seales took 4-49.

Bangladesh took both points in their Group C match against Zimbabwe at the JB Marcks Oval in Potchefstroom, after being offered a revised target of 130 runs from 22 overs due to rain, with their opponents having reached 137 for six after 28.1 overs.

As it turned out, Bangladesh, inspired by Parvez Hossein Emon, who top-scored with 58, reached a winning total of 132 with almost half their overs to spare.

Scotland and Pakistan will play their opening Group C match tomorrow.

Only the Group D match between Canada and United Arab Emirates was able to run its full 50-overs course, although UAE required only 38.4 overs to surpass the Canadian total of 231, for eight wickets, as they reached 232 for two.

Jonathan Figy was outstanding for the winners, scoring 102, after Sanchit Sharma had taken 3-42 at Manguang Oval in Bloemfontein.

Hosts South Africa were beaten by Afghanistan in the previous day's curtain-raiser for 48 matches across the 24-day tournament which ends on February 9.