Is there a reserve day in place for IND vs PAK 2023 World Cup match?
Asian giants and arch-rivals India and Pakistan lock horns with each other in the highly-anticipated 2023 World Cup clash in Ahmedabad on Saturday, October 14.
With a packed crowd expected at the gigantic Narendra Modi Stadium for the mouth-watering contest, both sides will look to maintain their unbeaten run through the tournament.
Following a rain-marred Asia Cup, where India eventually triumphed over Sri Lanka in the final, the fans have kept an eye on the weather in Ahmedabad. The Asia Cup battles between the sides saw their first meeting washed out after the first innings and the second game requiring a reserve day for completion.
It begs the question of the possibility of a reserve day should the weather gods intervene with proceedings during the crunch game of the 2023 World Cup. For starters, there is only a slim chance of rain interruptions, if any, much to the delight of cricket fans from all over the globe.
However, should rain pay a surprise visit and have the play called off at any stage during the day, there will be no reserve day this time around. Both teams will get one point each should at least a 20-over-per-side contest not transpire and will move forward to their next outing at the World Cup.
Menin Blue enter IND vs PAK contest as outright favorites
While the build-up to arguably the biggest match of the 2023 World Cup between India and Pakistan has reached stratospheric levels, the contest on-field hasn't quite fit the billing.
Team India has dominated its arch-rivals in 50-over cricket in every shape or form, be it in recent matches or past World Cups. The two-time World Champions have won all seven meetings between the sides in ODI World Cups, with almost all the matches being one-sided encounters.
In all but one of those matches, the Men in Blue have batted first and predominantly batted Pakistan out of the game. The only instance of Team India chasing down a target against the Men in Green in the showpiece event was the ever-famous 2003 encounter when Sachin Tendulkar smashed a masterful 98 off 75 deliveries at Centurion.
Recent history paints an even more sorry picture for Pakistan, with India winning all four previous ODIs between the teams comprehensively, dating back to the 2018 Asia Cup. The latest clash between India and Pakistan saw the former hand the 1992 World Champions a 229-run thrashing in the 2023 Asia Cup.
Babar Azam's men hope all of history being against them does not weigh down the side psychologically in the newest chapter of the storied rivalry.