LEEDS: The first T20I of the four-match series between Pakistan and England, scheduled to take place here on May 22, is likely to be affected by rain, according to the United Kingdom (UK) Met Office weather forecast.
According to the forecast, Leeds will receive heavy rainfall on Wednesday with the chances as high as 60 per cent.
The city’s weather is anticipated to turn from cloudy to rainy at lunchtime and will continue to downpour in intervals till midnight.
The humidity level is expected to go as high as 92 per cent while the temperature ranges from 13 to 16 degrees Celsius.
The higher humidity will make it tougher for the bowlers to grip the ball and will also pose a threat for the fielders. Furthermore, such high moisture leads to a damp and unpredictable pitch which may cause additional difficulties for both batters and bowlers.
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Meanwhile, despite the rain threat, both Pakistan and England squads have been preparing extensively for the series, scheduled to conclude on May 30, just a couple of days before the commencement of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 in the USA and the West Indies.
Last edition’s finalists Pakistan and England will bank on the four-match T20I series as a warm-up for the upcoming mega event as both sides will skip the warm-up matches of the tournament.
Pakistan squad:
Babar Azam (c), Abrar Ahmed, Azam Khan, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, 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
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