The first T20I of the four-match series between Pakistan and England, scheduled at Headingley in Leeds is likely to get washed out due to rain.
It has been raining in Leeds since the morning and it is expected to continue according to the United Kingdom (UK) Met Office, which predicts a 90 per cent chance of a downpour at the commencement of the series opener, which is 6:30 PM local time.
As per The Weather Channel, the city will receive 8.34mm of rain from 7 PM and is likely to ease out as the time proceeds but that would still not be enough for the match to take place.
The humidity level is expected to go as high as 89 per cent while the temperature ranges from 12 to 14 degrees Celsius during the scheduled time of the Pakistan-England T20I series opener.
If somehow the match gets underway, the higher humidity will make it tougher for the bowlers to grip the ball and will also pose a threat for the fielders.
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Furthermore, such high moisture leads to a damp and unpredictable pitch which may cause additional difficulties for both batters and bowlers.
For the unversed, the four-match T20I series between Pakistan and England, scheduled to run from May 22 to 30, will serve as a warm-up for both teams heading into the T20 World Cup 2024 as the previous edition’s finalists will skip the warm-up matches for this year’s mega event.
Pakistan squad:
Babar Azam (c), Abrar Ahmed, Azam Khan, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Rizwan, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Usman Khan.
England squad:
Jos Buttler (c), Phil Salt, Will Jacks, Jonny Bairstow, Ben Duckett, Harry Brook, Liam Livingstone, Moeen Ali, Sam Curran, Chris Jordan, Tom Hartley, Adil Rashid, Jofra Archer, Mark Wood and Reece Topley.
Pak vs Eng T20I series schedule:
1st T20I: Wed, May 22nd
2nd T20I: Sat, May 25th
3rd T20I: Tue, May 28th
4th T20I: Thu, May 30th
READ: Match officials for Pakistan-India T20 World Cup clash revealed