T20 World Cup: Rain looms large over Pakistan-India clash
The match between arch rivals is likely to be washed out
MELBOURNE: Rain is likely to play spoilsport during the highly-anticipated T20 World Cup 2022 clash between Pakistan and India on Sunday at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
According to the Bureau of Meteorology, there are 90 per cent chances of rain on match day which could lead to a washout.
A minimum of five overs a side is required to constitute a match.
It must be noted that there are no reserve days for group stage matches, which is why both teams will share points in case of no result.
The weather forecast has also indicated that the training sessions on Friday and Saturday are also likely to be affected by heavy rain.
India head into their clash with Pakistan as world number one, but without any major silverware since their 2013 Champions Trophy triumph.
They are without injured pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah and key all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja, but skipper Rohit Sharma said the squad was strong enough to cope.
"The bowlers, who have come with us in the World Cup, have played enough matches," he said, with Mohammed Shami taking Bumrah´s place.
Pakistan are fresh from winning a T20 tri-series in New Zealand and welcome back pace bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi, who recovered from a knee injury.
"The boys are confident," said skipper Babar Azam.
Rain threatens as Australia launch World Cup defence
Parts of Australia are facing a third straight La Nina weather event with a wetter-than-average summer expected, and downpours are forecast for Sydney and Melbourne from Friday through to next week.
Aaron Finch´s Australia begin their title defence against New Zealand at a sell-out Sydney Cricket Ground on Saturday evening — a repeat of the 2021 final in Dubai where Mitchell Marsh´s unbeaten 77 powered them to an eight-wicket win and maiden crown.
The weather could also cause havoc in Hobart where games are scheduled for Friday and Sunday, although England´s opener against Afghanistan in Perth on Saturday has a fine weather forecast.
The story includes input from AFP.
Comments