T20 WC final at risk of being washed out

• The T20 World Cup is at risk of being washed out.
• There is a strong rain forecast for Melbourne on Sunday and Monday.
• The WC finalists will share trophy if the game is washed out.

SYDNEY: The much-anticipated final of the ICC T20 World Cup involving Pakistan and the winners of tonight’s India versus England game is likely to be hampered by weather.

According to an advisory by the Australian Government’s Bureau of Meteorology, there are high chances of rain on Sunday.

The advisory for Sunday reads “Partly cloudy. Very high (95%) chance of showers. The chance of a thunderstorm, heavy falls possible in the southeast suburbs. Winds north to northeasterly 15 to 20 km/h turning west to northwesterly 15 to 25 km/h during the day.”

Three T20 World Cup matches at the iconic MCG were abandoned due to weather, while Ireland clinched an unexpected victory over England after rain prematurely ended their Super 12 contest.

Though the playing conditions of the T20 World Cup knock-out matches allow a reserve day, Monday's forecast isn’t different from Sunday's.

According to ICC playing conditions, every effort will be made to complete the match on the scheduled day.

“Only if the minimum number of overs necessary to constitute a match cannot be bowled on the scheduled day will the match be completed on the reserve day,” it says.

However, unlike round matches, in the finals and semi-finals, a minimum of 10 overs are to be bowled to constitute a complete match.

If there is no play possible in the final, both finalists will be declared joint winners.

Pakistan seal semifinal berth

The Babar Azam-led team won the semi-finals by seven wickets. The Black Caps had set a 153-run target for Pakistan which the Men in Green chased down with ease.

Skipper Babar Azam and wicketkeeper-batsman Mohammad Rizwan had a 105-run partnership. It was in the 12th over that New Zealand dismissed Babar for 53 to end the partnership. At that point, Pakistan required 47 from 43 balls.

But by then, the Men In Green had already gained much ground. Rizwan and Mohammad Haris kept the scoreboard ticking until the wicketkeeper was dismissed via run out at 57.

Haris was caught at short fine leg on the last ball of the 19th over. Right in the next over, Pakistan won the match by seven wickets.

The Men In Green will now face either England or India — who will face off tomorrow.

Earlier, Daryl Mitchell's half-century helped New Zealand set a 153-run target after New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson opted to bat first.