Sun Shines In Manchester But Unusual Weather Keeps Fans Guessing About India vs Pakistan World Cup Clash

As the World Cup caravan moved into the city for the big game on Sunday, the India-Pakistan clash, it was disheartening to be welcomed by rain again.

Bad weather has been plaguing this World Cup with its wanton ways, condemning four matches to be classified as no results or abandoned. Nottingham was especially bad with a continuous drizzle over several days dashing hopes of any cricket in the India-New Zealand game on Thursday.

Hence, to see the industrial city, home to football giants United and City, being lashed by a steady torrent on Friday morning was enough to induce paranoia - will the India-Pakistan game meet the same fate? That will be nothing short of a catastrophe.

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At the Old Trafford, the covers were on and the ground looked lush green but very wet as the rattle of a strong drizzle could be heard inside the media centre.

Quite magically, at around 10.30 am, the sun came out to cast a benevolent glance at the ground. Immediately, the groundstaff rushed to the middle, removed the covers and began working on the turf. Their body language suggested that sunshine was what they were waiting for anxiously for the past few days.

The good thing was that rain stayed away for most part of the day, giving ample time to the groundsmen to work on the park.

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The forecast for Manchester over the next two days is mixed. Light showers are predicted for both Saturday and Sunday. On match-day, the rains are more likely to come in the afternoon which could impact the second half of the game. However, the improved weather on Friday raised hopes of a Sunday blockbuster.

The groundstaff believe that if the weather stays generally dry over the next two days, there shouldn't be any problem with a full game. But they are keeping their fingers crossed as these are unusual times for England. No one had bargained for the wet climes one has witnessed here over the last 10-12 days.

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On Thursday, as he watched the rain wash away the India-New Zealand match at Nottingham, former England player Eddie Hemmings told TOI, "You know, at this time last year, it was 27 degrees here. It was hot. This rain at this time is most unusual."

Because of the wet ground conditions, the Pakistan team had an indoor practice session on Friday. Senior player Mohammad Hafeez did come down to inspect the pitch and do some shadow practice in the middle.