With India and Pakistan set to lock horns at R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Sunday, all eyes are on the sky as rain threat could play spoilsport in the Super 4 clash. The much-anticipated match will be India's first in the Super Fours while Babar Azam-led Pakistan will be coming to the field with great confidence after trouncing Bangladesh in Lahore. However, cricket lovers are worried about the weather after rain dampened the previous clash. The match begins at 2.30pm.
Unlike their previous contest, the Asia Cricket Council said the upcoming match will not be abandoned if it's affected by rain. “If adverse weather suspends play during the India vs Pakistan game, the match will continue on 11th September 2023 from the point it was suspended. In such an eventuality, ticket-holders are advised to hold on to their match tickets which will remain valid and will be utilised for the reserve day,” it added. Read more about the reserve day HERE.
Weather forecast
Though earlier forecasts said the chances of precipitation is 60 per cent along with thunderstorms when the match begins at 3pm, weather updates predicted that it may not rain till 7pm. Photos of a sunny Sunday morning in Colombo also made rounds on social media.
India's R. Ashwin tweeted, "That’s as pretty a morning as one can get for an #INDvsPAK clash. Lots of tickets still available online for the game." However, showers predicted after 7pm could still play spoilsport in the game.
Pitch report
R. Premadasa Stadium has historically favoured spinners. ESPN Cricinfo reports that batters could struggle on the pitch that was two-paced during the Lanka Premier League final.
Playing XI
Pakistan have finalized their Playing XI while India announce their team at the toss. K.L. Rahul who recovered from an injury and Jasprit Bumrah who missed previous match after welcoming a baby boy returned for the Pakistan match. Shreyas Iyer didn't make it to the team due to back spasm.
India: Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, V Kohli, Ishan Kishan, K.L. Rahul, Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Shradul Thakur, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj
Pakistan: Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam (c), Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Agha Salman, Iftikhar Ahmed, Shadab Khan, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf.
Pakistan won toss and chose to field. Read more HERE.