England vs Pakistan live updates, score, blog, Melbourne weather, rain, predictions, start time, final teams, preview

The blankets are still off at the MCG where it is yet to rain ahead of the T20 World Cup final between England and Pakistan.

A beautiful spring morning in Melbourne gave way to dark clouds and cooler temperatures by mid-afternoon.

Nonetheless, the rain is still lingering for now, giving fans hope that the game can start at 7:00 p.m. AEDT.

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HUGE AUSSIE BLOW AS MAXWELL BREAKS HIS LEG IN ‘FREAK’ INJURY AT BIRTHDAY PARTY

The Bureau of Meteorology predicts nearly 100 per cent chance of rain in the city, with a risk of thunderstorms, fearing the World Cup final could be watered down or cut short.

Although there is a reserve day on Monday – which also has a chance of rain – tournament organizers would rather play a shortened final on Sunday than a full final on Monday.

At least 10 overs must be thrown in the chase to complete the endgame.

“Every effort will be made to complete the match on the scheduled day,” read the T20 World Cup playing conditions.

“Only if the minimum number of overs needed to constitute a match cannot be played on the scheduled day will the match be completed on the reserve day.”

If both days are won, the teams will split the trophy, as happened in the 2002 Champions Trophy tournament when Sri Lanka and India reached the final.

The 2019 World Cup semi-final between New Zealand and India took place over two days.

HUGE AUSSIE BLOW AS MAXWELL BREAKS HIS LEG IN ‘FREAK’ INJURY AT BIRTHDAY PARTY

FINAL OVERVIEW

Skipper Jos Buttler believes an ‘incredibly dangerous’ England will be tough to beat in Sunday’s Twenty20 World Cup final but Pakistan claim they have ‘all bases covered’ – and then there’s the threat of rain .

After 44 matches spanning almost a month, the Melbourne Cricket Ground will host the deciding match to determine who joins the West Indies as the only two-time winner since the tournament’s inception in 2007.

Pakistan tasted victory in 2009 beating Sri Lanka by eight wickets in the final, while England clinched it a year later with a seven-wicket win over Australia.

England will be favorites against a Pakistani side who have recovered from losing their opening two games of the tournament.

Rain could spoil the party though with a 100% chance of forecast showers and even severe thunderstorms.

A reserve day has been booked on Monday but the weather is set to be gloomy again, raising the prospect of a washout and the unthinkable – the trophy being split.

A minimum of 10 overs per team is necessary to constitute a match, against five during the group stages. If the match starts on Sunday but is not finished, it will resume Monday where it left off.

On Friday, organizers changed the rules to give two extra hours of play on Monday if necessary to complete the game.

Three games at the MCG in Super 12 were rain-affected. Despite the elements, Buttler is confident England can finish the job after beating India by 10 wickets in the semi-final. Resurgent Pakistan beat New Zealand by seven wickets to earn the right to meet them.

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“I think we’re a good team, I think that’s probably where the performance is coming from,” Buttler said.

“Brilliant players in the team. When they play their best, we are a tough team to beat. Incredibly dangerous side, huge confidence in the group.

England have selection decisions to make with batsman Dawid Malan and fast bowler Mark Wood missing the semi-final injured. They were replaced by Phil Salt, who was not required to hit, and Chris Jordan, who took 3-43.

“We’ll see how they do and hopefully progress to be available for selection in the final,” Buttler of Malan and Wood said.

Buttler’s brilliant 80 and Alex Hales’ dazzling 86 did damage against India, with the South Asian giant’s esteemed bowling attack going unanswered.

Pakistani pace spearheads Mohammad Nawaz and Shaheen Shah Afridi will be tasked with blunting in-form openers on Sunday.

Pakistani team mentor and Australian cricketing legend Matthew Hayden said it was key to the final.

“It’s really obvious, isn’t it – quality fast bowling against quality batting, that’s why you watch the game,” said the former Aussie great, who was batting coach of Pakistan at the 2021 World Cup, when they reached the semi-finals. , and was recruited again this year.

“But we have four rapids that really have an impact and can create lasting damage in 20 overs.

“One of the things that I think India was really missing last night in the bowling department was a leg rotation option – really a sixth bowling option,” he said on Friday.

“Our team have six real options and a seventh as well if needed, so I think the bases are covered.

The two sides know each other well, playing a seven-game T20 series in Pakistan ahead of the World Cup, which England won 4-3.

“I think the time we spent in Pakistan was great for the band,” Buttler said.

“It will be an incredible opportunity,” he added of the final at the MCG.

“It’s definitely something to savor, to enjoy, and I’m just going to encourage us to play with the same freedom.” Hayden said the two teams were “even Steven”.

“On the day, who handles the pressure, who has their place in the build-up to the game, who can handle their emotions, that’s how they start and how they end,” he said.

“All those sports clichés, they matter in big games.”

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