The highly anticipated clash between India and Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2023 has been under the threat of rain, but as of Saturday morning, the chances of a complete washout seem unlikely. According to AccuWeather, there is a 40-60% chance of rain during the toss, but weather conditions are expected to improve as the day progresses.
Over the past two days, Pallekele has experienced gloomy conditions with dark clouds looming overhead. Although rain had stayed away since Thursday, the Saturday evening forecast initially predicted a 90% chance of rain until 6 PM. However, since Friday evening, both Kandy and Pallekele, which is located a half-hour drive away, have remained dry.
On Saturday morning, heavy breezes were observed, pushing the dark clouds away from the vicinity. Locals suggest that such a sight typically indicates passing showers lasting for about half an hour to an hour. In such circumstances, teams may consider the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) method in case of rain affecting the game. If rain is anticipated, most captains winning the toss opt to bowl first, as this allows them to assess their position at the halfway stage.
However, given the slow nature of the pitch and its potential difficulty for scoring under lights, the decision may not be straightforward. During the first match at this venue, despite overcast conditions, Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan won the toss and chose to bat first. However, his team faced difficulties midway through the innings and was eventually bowled out for 163.
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India’s captain, Rohit Sharma, mentioned that the team has been closely monitoring the conditions and acknowledged the challenges faced by batters. He emphasized the importance of adapting to the game’s situation and conditions.
Pakistan has already secured a victory over Nepal, so even if this match is affected by rain, India can still advance as they have an additional game to play. Two teams from the group will progress to the Super 4s stage, which will be held in Colombo.
Both the Indian and Pakistani teams conducted training sessions on Friday evening, and following the practice, the ground staff covered the entire ground. This proactive approach suggests that even if there is a rain-induced delay, the likelihood of the match resuming shortly after the rain stops remains promising.