Ahead of the much-important T20 World Cup 2022 final between England and Pakistan at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Sunday, November 13, the tournament's organisers have extended the playing time for the ultimate game by an hour, keeping in mind the threat of rain during the match.
Tournament officials have secured an extension to the permitted operating hours for the showdown, with an additional hour of extra time for the game to be held on Sunday now available should any play be lost, the ICC said.
Melbourne welcomed the players with a sunny Sunday morning, but clouds began rolling in ahead of the first ball of the match at 7 pm local time i.e 1:30 pm IST. An additional two hours were added to finish the match on the reserve day of Monday, November 14, efforts will be made to complete the match on Sunday itself. This means that if the final does not get completed on Sunday, then the match will be resumed to the point where the last ball was played on Monday.
Moreover, if the umpires agree that the conditions of the ground, weather, light or any other circumstances are dangerous or unreasonable, then play shall be immediately suspended, not allowed play to start or recommence the following consultation with ICC Match Referee Ranjan Madugalle.
Updated scheduled match times (local time)
Match commences: 7.00 PM
1st Innings: 7.00-8.28 PM
Innings Break: 8.28-8.48 PM
2nd Innings: 8:48-10:30 PM
Additional time available: 10:30 PM - 12:00 AM
Meanwhile, on November 12, the ICC's Event Technical Committee added an additional two hours on the reserve day in case more time is required to complete the match and get a result. The play needs to have 10 overs per side to constitute a match in the knockout stage. But if a 10-over-per-side contest does not take place, then Pakistan and England will be declared joint winners.
