The stage is set for a fierce battle between Pakistan and India in the Asia Cup 2023, but Mother Nature seems to have a different plan. The much-anticipated clash scheduled for September 2 at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium is under the looming threat of rainy weather, potentially dampening the excitement of cricket fans worldwide.
Weather officials have predicted a series of showers throughout the week, with a significant 70% chance of precipitation during the match, according to the BBC weather forecast. The forecast from World Weather Online paints an even grimmer picture, projecting a staggering 102.55mm of rain on Saturday, which could lead to delays or even a no-result situation for the game.
The rain is expected to persist from 7 am local time until midnight, casting doubts over the game’s completion. Furthermore, the presence of winds during the match could further complicate playing conditions and the overall atmosphere.
Temperatures are predicted to remain relatively cool, fluctuating between 20 and 24 degrees Celsius during the game, adding another layer of complexity to the already challenging weather situation.
The history between Pakistan and India is rich with intense cricketing rivalries. The last time these two cricketing giants clashed in a 50-over format was during the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019, with India emerging victorious. Their most recent encounter took place in the ICC T20 Cricket World Cup 2022, where India secured a memorable win thanks to an iconic innings by Virat Kohli.
Despite the looming threat of rain, both teams still have a chance to meet again in the Super Four stage if they successfully navigate the group stages. In the Asia Cup 2023, Pakistan and India find themselves in Group A alongside Nepal, while Group B consists of Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Afghanistan.
Squads: Pakistan: Babar Azam (c), Abdullah Shafique, Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Salman Ali Agha, Iftikhar Ahmed, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Haris, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Usama Mir, Faheem Ashraf, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Naseem Shah, Shaheen Afridi.
India: Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, KL Rahul, Ishan Kishan, Hardik Pandya (vc), Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohd. Shami, Mohd. Siraj, Prasidh Krishna.
As cricket enthusiasts hold their breath in anticipation, the weather’s final call will determine whether this epic clash between Pakistan and India will proceed as planned or fall victim to the unrelenting rains.
