In the final of the ongoing edition of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, former champions England and Pakistan will be up against each other at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Sunday (November 13). With an eye on the big prize, both teams will look to give it their all and become champions for the second time. But their plans will take a backseat if there is no play possible due to rain.
And, according to the Melbourne weather forecast, rain is expected to fall heavily on Sunday’s big game. There are 95% chances of rain spoiling the game, and even though there’s a reserve day in place, things are not looking good because rain is expected to hamper the proceedings the next day as well.
So, keeping in mind the rain threat, the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) Event Technical Committee has made a big change and revised the playing conditions. According to a brief statement by the ICC, additional time will be provided to complete the match on the reserve day if rain disrupts the finale.
“The Event Technical Committee (ETC) has increased the provision of additional playing time on the reserve day to four hours from the original provision of two hours (clause 13.7.3 of the Playing Conditions), in case more time is required to complete the match and get a result,” the ICC stated.
“It may be noted that 10 overs per side are required to constitute a match in the knockout stage, and every effort will be taken to complete the match on the scheduled match day.
“Every effort will be made for the match to be completed on Sunday, with any necessary reduction of overs taking place and only if the minimum number of overs necessary to constitute a match cannot be bowled on Sunday will the match go into the reserve day. Play on the reserve day will begin at 15h00 and would be a continuation of play from the scheduled match day.”
Pakistan and England have already faced each other seven times in T20Is this year, with England having the upper hand as they won the seven-match series by a margin of 4-3 in September-October.
