Among the general cricket spectators, expectations are high for an epic finale.
The two best possible teams in Twenty20 internationals – second-placed England and third-ranked Pakistan – will do battle in the final of the T20 World Cup 2022 at the historic Melbourne Cricket Ground Sunday.
For the Pakistanis, they are expecting a repeat of the 1992 World Cup final.
Thirty years ago in similar settings, Pakistan had lifted their only 50-over World Cup trophy when they faced England in Australia, and coincidentally, at the same venue – MCG.
The Barmy Army rooting for England will expect their second T20 World Cup title, having secured their first in 2010 in the West Indies, and in the process bury the bitter memories of the final loss to the Caribbean side in the 2016 edition.
The weather however, could play foul one final time to mar the excitement.
The ICC Fan Zone located in front of Gate 3 of the MCG Saturday was flooded with supporters of both the finalists as skippers Babar Azam and Jos Buttler appeared with the tournament trophy.
There was a common desire – that the game gets played with no rain interruption.
According to the Australian Bureau of Meteorology Saturday evening – the forecast for the game day showed 100% chance of rain with a fall of around 10 to 20 mm and possible storm.
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The International Cricket Council has already made necessary changes to the playing regulations.
While the scheduled day of the match allows only 30 minutes of extra time, four hours have been added to allow play to continue late into the reserve day.
The tournament's playing conditions state "every effort" will be made to for the final to reach a result, even if they require a shortened contest rather than using the reserve day.
If the reserve day is required, the match will continue from Sunday, rather than be restarted.
It will be played under the same playing conditions as the last ball bowled the previous day, meaning if a 10-over-per-side match starts Sunday the final would be played to the same length Monday.
If there is not enough time despite the efforts over the two days, the trophy would be shared between Pakistan and England.
Speaking of the teams, there are possibly no hot favorites in this affair.
Both England and Pakistan have come to the final crushing their opponents in the semis.
The two teams chased down their targets dominantly, riding on heroics of their respective openers.
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Pakistan secured a seven-wicket victory over New Zealand, while England simply outplayed India, winning by 10 wickets and four wickets to spare chasing 169 runs.
The game promises to be a fascination battle between the England batters and the Pakistan fast bowlers.
Pakistan have no reason to change their winning XI.
Left-arm pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi has led the bowling unit with champion performances against South Africa, Bangladesh and New Zealand – a combined nine for 60 in 11 overs.
The lethal Pakistan bowling attack gives cushion to its batting unit – to do what they do best with the willow.
England on the other hand are in a potentially sticky situation with the recovery of batter Dawid Malan and right-arm fast bowler Wark Wood.
England head coach Matthew Mott informed that they would keep their options open with regards to the duo's possible selection for the grand game, but that it would be folly to alter the XI that has been doing so well.
The depth of the team simply doesn't require a change, despite the fact that Malan is their highest-ranked T20I batter while Wood has performed his role admirably.
The wicket at the MCG is likely to offer 160-odd runs batting first, which is a defendable score.
The game is scheduled to start at 2pm Bangladesh time.
