Rain and England: Obstacles in Pakistan’s path to history

Rain threatens to derail the T20 World Cup final in Melbourne

 Rival captains: Babar Azam (Pakistan) and Jos Buttler (England)

• Prospect of a first joint World Cup champions in cricket

MELBOURNE: The die has been cast. All what Pakistan needs to do is to go out and beat England in the final of the T20 World Cup at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on Sunday and create an unusual piece of history dating back to 30 years, when Imran Khan’s cornered tigers beat England to win the 50-over World Cup at the same venue in 1992.

By a strange coincidence Babar Azam’s Pakistan team has come through to the final on a similar course as Imran’s and all that is needed for them to put the icing on the cake is to win the final (see pix).

Winning the final is not beyond Pakistan who have suddenly rediscovered their true identity and form and are playing like a champion side, who on their day can be invincible as they showed against New Zealand in the semi-finals.

Similarly, Jos Butler’s Englishmen showed that they meant business when they silenced a 20,000 plus strong crowd the majority of whom were Indians at Adelaide, by thrashing the daylights out of one of the tournament favourites India by ten wickets in the second semi-final, chasing down a target of 169 without losing a single wicket and with four overs to spare.

The manner in which Pakistan and England have reached the final, with century opening partnerships providing the base for their respective wins suggests a hotly contested final is on the cards.

There are also similarities between the two finalists, it is their third appearance in a T20 World Cup final and they have each won the title once – Pakistan in 2009 and England in 2010.

To help the present Pakistani side relive the memories of 30 years ago, Matthew Hayden, the Pakistan team mentor said that Ramiz Raja, the Pakistan Cricket Board chief who opened the batting and took the final catch that sealed victory in the 1992 final had addressed Babar Azam’s team on Friday morning.

Hayden rated Pakistan’s chances against England as “even-stevens” although England are rated clear favourites by bookmakers to win on Sunday after humiliating India.

“At the start of this tournament I always thought that England was going to be a huge threat. And here we are on the edge of a final,” said Hayden. “I think the bases are covered. Both sides actually have got very equal set-ups.”

England captain Jos Butler said, “We’ve come up against a Pakistan team in red-hot form in a final of a World Cup, and again, that’s going to be such an amazing occasion, one we’ll go and enjoy as much as we can and express ourselves and try and show off our talent.”

“I think we’re a good team. That’s probably where the performance comes from. Some brilliant players in your team. When they play their best, we’re a tough team to beat. Incredibly dangerous side, huge confidence in the group.”

What stands between a closely-fought final is the fickle Melbourne weather.

The long-range forecast is looking bleak for both Sunday night’s final and Monday’s reserve day.

The Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology forecasts 100 percent chance of 8-20mm rain on Sunday with a chance of thunderstorm, and 95 percent chance of 5-10mm rain on Monday (the reserve day).

The forecast was also poor leading into the India-Pakistan group game at the MCG but cleared to allow a full game with the contest developing into a thrilling outcome. Organisers, supporters and players will hope the final is blessed with the same good luck.

Melbourne has been badly hit by rain during this T20 World Cup with three Super12 matches abandoned without a ball bowled – New Zealand v Afghanistan, Afghanistan v Ireland, and Australia v England. The England-Ireland game in Melbourne was also curtailed by rain, but Ireland were able to win on the D/L method.

For the knockout matches in this tournament a minimum of 10 overs per side is needed to constitute a match, as compared to five overs during the group stages.

The ICC has extra time regulations which allow for two hours of extra time for the reserve day, theoretically reducing the likelihood of the weather clearing after the game is called off. Under the tournament playing conditions, if the final is abandoned, no result is possible or if a Super Over cannot be completed after a tie, “the teams shall be declared joint winners”, which would make it a hollow victory should it occur.

None of the ICC related World Cup events has produced joint champions and the possibility is that it could happen at the MCG should bad weather prevail. The only instance of an ICC final ending with shared winners was in the 2002 Champions Trophy after host Sri Lanka and India made the final at the R Premadasa Stadium, but the final couldn’t be completed in the two days allocated due to rain.