On October 23, India and Pakistan will face off in Melbourne, but if the story is to be believed, rain might ruin the big event. The opening match between India and Pakistan will take place this weekend at Melbourne Cricket Ground, but according to Accuweather, the Australian capital is predicted to see rainy weather starting on October 21.
The third consecutive La Nina weather phenomenon is now affecting several areas of Australia, and a wetter-than-normal summer is predicted. So, from Friday through the next week, there is a forecast for downpours in Sydney and Melbourne.
There is a good chance that the eagerly anticipated India vs. Pakistan game won’t have even a single ball being played in such a scenario. Accuweather predicts that Melbourne may get light drizzle on Thursday night. But over the following three days, rain is anticipated to be felt.
High Chance of Rain
There is a 96% likelihood that it will rain on October 21 (Friday), and the same conditions may persist on October 22 (Saturday), but the sun may shine in spots. However, the city is anticipated to see significant rain with 60% of precipitation on the match day, which is Sunday, October 23.
There is a “very high (90 percent) probability of showers” and maybe thunderstorms, according to the Bureau of Meteorology. It is thus quite probable that the game will be called off, but if it doesn’t rain badly and the game goes on, there will be 100% cloud cover, which may enable the seamers to take use of the Melbourne track’s swing and seam.
As the India-Pakistan match could be postponed while fans wait for the rain to stop, there are also dark clouds hanging over the Australia-New Zealand game. On Saturday, October 22, at Sydney Cricket Ground, the Super 12 opening will include the T20 World Cup finalists from the previous year.
However, Sydney has had nonstop rain. With 85% probability of precipitation and a strong thunderstorm in Sydney on October 22 in the forecast, rain is expected to fall through next Tuesday (October 25). Therefore, it appears that the prospects of the two teams playing each other on Saturday are quite slim.
Rain might affect other games as well
Speaking of other games, the weather may also cancel the ones in Hobart on Friday and Sunday. On the other hand, the weather is expected to be largely favourable for England’s opening match against Afghanistan in Perth on Saturday.
It should be remembered that group match reserve days do not exist. Therefore, if the India vs. Pakistan game is postponed, the two sides won’t play. Only reserve days are available for the semifinal and championship games.
