As we enter into the more excititng stages of the ongoing ICC T20 World Cup, all eyes are on the upcoming contest between India and Pakistan. Often hailed as one of the greatest sporting rivalries of all time, the clash scheduled for Feburuary 15 is facing a weather threat.
Multiple weather applications have suggested a 70% high probability of rainfall on the forecast, with as many as four hours of showers predicted between the afternoon and later in the evening. However, the clouds should ease up by the time the game is scheduled to begin.
According to Accuweather, the temperature will bear a high of 31 degrees Celsius during the day and cool down to the low 20s by evening. With a 70% chance of rain predicted for Colombo, fans are anxious about what happens if the high-voltage game at the R. Premadasa Stadium is washed out.
Will there be a Reserve Day?
No, in case the game is washed out by rain, there will be no reserve day allocated for a India vs Pakistan fixture. According to ICC tournament rules for the 2026 edition, there is no reserve day for group-stage matches.
Reserve days are exclusively kept for the semi-finals and the final. If the match cannot be completed on Sunday even after being shortened by 5 overs per innings to accommodate the time wasted by rain, then the match would be officially abandoned.
How will this impact the points table?
If the “Rain gods” decide to play spoilsport, the points will be split equally. Currently at the top of Group A with 4 points, India would move to 5 points. Sharing the top positions in the Group A chart with India, sitting on 4 points, Pakistan will also climb to 5 points.
‘Knockout’ impact on USA and Netherlands
A washout between the two teams would be a nightmare for the other teams in Group A. If India and Pakistan reach 5 points via a shared result, it becomes mathematically impossible for the USA or Netherlands (both currently on 2 points) to overtake them.
This would effectively reserve a Super 8 spot for the archrivals, turning their remaining group games into “dead rubbers”.
India to face Pak’s 5-spinners attack
While the off-field controversies have abated for now, there will be a few tricky challenges ahead for India and Pakistan in their first meeting since the 2025 Asia Cup final.
For the Indians, there will be a few tricky layers to contend with, as Pakistan poses an interesting five-man spin attack. Spearheading the five-spin attack would be Usman Tariq, Paksitan’s new ace spin bowler who recently achieved a 3 wicket haul against USA.
With new challenges ranging from weather conditions to Sri Lanka’s spin favouring pitch, tomorrow’s clash between India and Pakistan promises to be a high-octane affair.