India and Pakistan have arrived in Colombo for their much-anticipated T20 World Cup match at the R Premadasa Stadium. Initially, there were concerns about the match taking place after the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced a boycott in response to Bangladesh’s exit from the tournament. However, after discussions with the International Cricket Council (ICC), the PCB reversed its decision and agreed to play.
Matches between India and Pakistan are always high-stakes, and this matchup has been made even more intense by recent controversies.
ICC’s Decision on Training Sessions
For the upcoming match, the ICC has confirmed that India and Pakistan will have separate training sessions in Colombo.
Pakistan’s session is scheduled from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM, while India will practice from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM. The ICC did not explain the reason for these separate timings, whether it was due to recent issues or pre-planned.
Typically, teams have individual training sessions, but overlaps can happen. Given the current tensions, the ICC might have intentionally created a one-hour gap to prevent any incidents.
Potential Edge for India
India’s evening practice could offer them a slight benefit by helping them adapt to nighttime conditions expected during the match. This timing may also provide insight into pitch behavior under lights.
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Additionally, evening training will allow bowlers to prepare for possible dew during the match.
High Rain Chances
However, there is a significant chance of rain on the day of the match, with forecasts predicting a 94 percent likelihood. This raises serious concerns about the game’s outcome.
If rain interrupts the match, it would mean considerable losses for both the ICC and the teams. In that scenario, India and Pakistan would both qualify for the Super 8 phase.
