India vs Pakistan

India vs Pakistan: Sunil Gavaskar, Harbhajan Singh slam ECB over lack of rain preparedness

A cricketing rivalry that transcends beyond the realms of 22 yards will be reignited when India and Pakistan square off in a World Cup encounter that could have fascinating sub-plots with Rain Gods threatening an anti-climactic twist.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Rain threat looms large over India vs Pakistan in Manchester on Sunday

• Gavaskar questioned why the ECB hadn't covered the entire ground on the eve of the match

• Gavaskar wants ICC to hold back the guaranteed $750,000 to ECB if IND vs PAK is washed out

India captain Virat Kohli has swatted aside talk of a duel with Pakistan speedster Mohammad Amir and played down the hype around this weekend’s World Cup blockbuster between the arch-rivals at Old Trafford.

India have an unblemished record in 50-overs World Cup against their neighbours having beaten Pakistan on each of the six encounters between the former champions.

Sunil Gavaskar, speaking to India from Old Trafford in Manchester, said the inability of the ECB to have cricket grounds fully covered is "totally unacceptable". It was pouring down in Manchester even as Gavaskar was expressing his frustration at the puddles that were being formed on the uncovered areas of the outfield.

India vs Pakistan Manchester Weather Update, World Cup 2019: Rain to affect play, full 50 overs match unlikely

The 'rain' has been a major disrupter in the ongoing ICC Cricket World Cup 2019, playing as the "eleventh world cup team". Indian fans were in for a huge disappointment when India’s match against New Zealand got washed out due to rain. India and New Zealand’s cricket match got abandoned without a ball being bowled and both the teams had to share one point each. Now, the Indian fans are deeply concerned about the weather forecast for India’s upcoming mother-of-all-clashes against Pakistan.

On the day of the epic India vs Pakistan clash, the Manchester region is expected to witness light showers from early morning. The sun is expected to come out after that and stay till about 2 pm in the afternoon. Rain is, however, likely to interrupt second half of India vs Pakistan match.