Sports Desk
MELBOURNE: T20 World Cup officials have announced a drastic rule change to mitigate the rain threat in the final clash between Pakistan and England in Melbourne on Sunday (November 13).
With rain already playing spoilsport throughout the tournament, the event organizers are leaving no stone unturned to get a result. The MCG curators will use additional covers with showers predicted on Sunday afternoon. A 30-minute extra time slot will be available to complete the match on the allotted date. A reserve day is also slated to ensure that the two teams won’t have to share the trophy. However, with plenty of rain (up to 20 mm) predicted on Monday (November 14), the International Cricket Council (ICC) will have to put in extra effort to get a result.
A minimum of ten overs per side is required to complete a game. The ICC has also allotted two extra hours on the backup date to ensure the game’s completion. As per the Australian Government’s Bureau of Meteorology, there’s a 100% chance of rain on Sunday and a 95 percent possibility of showers on Monday.
The winner will join West Indies as the second team to win the T20 World Cup twice. Younis Khan-led Pakistan lifted the trophy in 2009, while England won their maiden title under Paul Collingwood.
The two teams quickly bounced back after losing to lower-ranked sides earlier in the tournament. Jos Buttler and Co. rose to their potential after losing to Ireland in a rain-affected game, while Babar Azam-led Pakistan stepped up after a shock defeat against Zimbabwe in a last-over finish.
England will be confident after hammering India by ten wickets. Openers Alex Hales and Buttler smashed unbeaten 80s in a 169-run chase to thump the world’s No.1 T20I team in a one-sided semi-final.
Meanwhile, Pakistan beat 2021 T20 World Cup runners-up New Zealand by seven wickets. Star openers Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan finally rose to the occasion ahead of the tournament final. Considering the same, a riveting contest is on the cards, if the weather permits.
Heavy rain is expected on Sunday’s match day and also the reserve day on Monday as a multi-year La Nina weather phenomenon continues to drench much of eastern Australia.
The tournament has already seen a slew of Super 12 matches washed out, though the semi-finals passed without disruption in Sydney and Adelaide.
While the forecast could put a dampener on the crowd at the MCG, organisers will plough ahead with the starting time of 7pm (0800 GMT) on Sunday and hope each side can squeeze 10 overs in, the minimum required for the final.
However, Melbourne is known for having “four seasons in one day”, particularly in spring, and forecasts are often wide of the mark.
