India vs Pakistan Asia Cup 2023 Weather Report: Will rain play a spoilsport in today’s match?

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• Sep 2, 2023 | Dhupali Das

India vs Pakistan Match Weather Forecast: Over the last two days, Pallekele has been waking up to extremely gloomy conditions with...

Digital Desk: As cricket enthusiasts across the globe eagerly anticipate the high-scale, big-ticket clash between arch-rivals India and Pakistan in the ongoing Asia Cup, the fate of the match seems to be hanging in the balance, with rain playing the role of the ultimate decider. As of Saturday morning, the chances of a washout appeared somewhat remote, offering a glimmer of hope to cricket fans worldwide.

According to the latest weather update from AccuWeather, there is a 40-60 percent chance of rain during the toss, but the weather conditions are expected to improve as the day progresses. Over the past two days, the picturesque town of Pallekele has been engulfed in gloomy conditions, with menacing dark clouds hovering overhead. The initial forecast for Saturday evening appeared grim, with a whopping 90 percent chance of precipitation until 6 pm. However, the weather gods seem to have taken a turn, as the city of Kandy and its neighboring Pallekele have remained rain-free since Friday evening.

Saturday morning brought with it a ray of hope, as heavy breezes swept the dark clouds away from the vicinity. Locals, accustomed to such weather patterns, suggested that these conditions usually result in passing showers that last no more than half an hour to one hour. In such uncertain weather circumstances, cricket teams often consider the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) method, which helps them make informed decisions at the toss.

In a typical rain-affected situation, captains winning the toss tend to opt for fielding first, as this provides them with a clearer picture of where they stand at the halfway stage of the game. However, with the pitch exhibiting slower characteristics and showing signs of being challenging to score on under lights, the decision might not be straightforward. In the tournament's inaugural match at this venue, Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan won the toss and chose to bat first, only to see his team stumble midway through their innings, eventually getting bowled out for a modest 163.

Indian skipper Rohit Sharma acknowledged the challenge posed by the conditions, saying, "We saw a bit of swing, a bit of spin, we saw everything. That is always challenging, you know; it's always going to challenge the batters." He emphasized the importance of adapting to the situation and conditions, particularly in the 50-over format, as opposed to the more frenetic pace of T20 cricket.

Both India and Pakistan come into this crucial match with differing fortunes. Pakistan has already secured a win against Nepal, while India has a game in hand. Even if the match were to be washed out, India would still have a chance to advance, as two teams from the group stage make it to the Super 4s, which will be held in Colombo.

In anticipation of the unpredictable weather, both teams diligently trained on Friday evening. Following their practice sessions, the ground staff covered the entire pitch and outfield. This proactive measure suggests that even in the event of a rain-induced interruption, the chances of a swift resumption of play remain promising.

Head-to-head, India holds a 7-5 advantage over Pakistan in Asia Cup encounters, with only one fixture ending in a washout. As fans await the outcome of this historic rivalry match, they can only hope that the rain gods will be kind, allowing the cricketing world to witness yet another thrilling clash between these two cricketing giants.