England and Pakistan will square off with each other in the final of the Men’s T20 World Cup 2022 at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on Sunday, November 13.
The highly-anticipated final is, however, under threat as Melbourne is predicted to be peppered by rain on the big game day. As of now, there are 95 per cent chances of rain (8 to 20 mm) in Melbourne on Sunday with the temperature ranging from 16 to 26 degrees. Though there’s a reserve day as a back up for the summit clash, things are not looking good because rain is expected to play spoiler on next day as well.
So, keeping in mind the rain threat, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has made some big changes in the playing conditions. According to the apex body, additional time will be given to the match officials to complete the game on the reserve day, if rain hamper the proceedings.
“The Event Technical Committee (ETC) has increased the provision of additional playing time on the reserve day to four hours from the original provision of two hours (clause 13.7.3 of the Playing Conditions), in case more time is required to complete the match and get a result,” the ICC said in an official press release.
“It may be noted that 10 overs per side are required to constitute a match in the knockout stage, and every effort will be taken to complete the match on the scheduled match day.
“Every effort will be made for the match to be completed on Sunday, with any necessary reduction of overs taking place and only if the minimum number of overs necessary to constitute a match cannot be bowled on Sunday will the match go into the reserve day. Play on the reserve day will begin at 15h00 (local time) and would be a continuation of play from the scheduled match day.”
The last major ICC title to be shared was the 2002 Champions Trophy, when the final between India and Sri Lanka got washed out twice under the previous set of rules, forcing the match to be restarted – rather than continued – on its reserve day.
