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RAWALPINDI: With the opening T20I between Pakistan and New Zealand marred by rain, the question on everyone’s minds is whether the clouds would clear away ahead of today’s clash between the two teams at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.
According to The News, the forecast for the Saturday’s match is encouraging as the weather is expected to remain clear and sunny today. However, there will be some showers in early morning and at noon.
Rain won the first match between the Green Shirts and Black Caps on Thursday as the game was called off due to constant rains.
The rain continued to pour down in Rawalpindi and Islamabad on Friday with short breaks.
“We kept ourselves busy throughout the day. When rain stops we make best efforts to clear the field or at least clear the water from above the covers. This way chances of water creeping through the covers into the square or pitches are remote.
“I hope that things will improve drastically by early Saturday morning. What we need is a good few dry hours to make the things ready for timely start of the second T20 international,” Sarfraz Ahmad, head groundsman, when contacted said.
Ahmad hoped that the play will start on time on Saturday for the second T20 International, adding that the weather forecast was good for today.
Pakistan likely to retain same XI
Meanwhile, Pakistan are expected to field the same playing XI that was finalised for the opening match on Thursday.
One of the team officials told The News, “In all likelihood the same team will be retained for the second T20 with the reason it was an almost washed out day Thursday. Unless someone goes down with some illness or for any other emergency, chances of retaining the same outfit for the Saturday’s match are bright.”
The official also hoped that the crowd would see a complete match on Saturday.
Pakistan squad
Baber Azam, Saim Ayub, Mohammad Rizwan, Usman Khan, Iftikhar Ahmed, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, Mohammad Amir, Abrar Ahmed, Fakhar Zaman, Zaman Khan , Usama Mir, Abbas Afridi, Azam Khan, Imad Wasim.
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