Who: USA vs Ireland
What: ICC T20 World Cup Group A match
When: Friday, June 14, 10:30am local time (2:30pm GMT)
Where: Broward Park Stadium, Lauderhill, Florida, USA
How to follow: Al Jazeera’s live coverage starts at 11:30 GMT
Most of Group A’s attention is on the pitches, with New York in particular receiving heavy criticism. As the group reaches its finale in Florida on Friday and Sunday, the spotlight is now in the skies. The weather forecast for the USA’s match against Ireland on Friday and Pakistan’s match against Ireland on Sunday looks bleak in terms of there being much chance of a game.
India have already qualified as group winners while the USA are in second position with two victories, including against Pakistan, already to their name. Pakistan remain hopeful of progressing to second place in qualifying but the matter could be resolved before Sunday’s meeting with the Irish.
Everything is at stake and, weather permitting, we could have two stressful final games in Group A.
Weather forecast
Streets in Broward County were flooded and weather warnings were issued for local residents.
The local weather forecast shows an 80 percent chance of heavy rain that could cause further flooding. It does not bode well for players and fans on both sides – as well as those in Pakistan.
What happens if it rains in Florida?
If the game starts, both teams will need to bowl at least five overs each to constitute a game. There is an additional 90 minutes to complete the game if it is possible to play.
If the weather stays true to the forecast, the game could be called off without a ball being thrown.
An abandoned game will leave both teams with one point each, giving the USA five points from their four games and ensuring qualification for the Super Eight ahead of Pakistan, Canada and Ireland.
Even if the 2009 champions beat Ireland in their final game, they will not be able to gain more than four points in total.
Field condition
The pitch will come into play for the first time in the tournament after the Nepal v Sri Lanka game was eliminated without a ball being bowled.
While the venue has produced even scores in the past, a series of showers and thunderstorms could make it a more even contest between bat and ball.
Head to head
Each side has won one game each in their two T20 meetings so far.
Form guide
Despite the loss to India, the USA will be encouraged by their performance against some of the game’s biggest stars. They also have a number of good results to boost your confidence.
Ireland have had a forgettable tournament so far, losing to India and Canada, and will see this match as a turning point.
USA: LWWLW
Ireland: LLWWW
US National Team News
The hosts could play the same team that won two matches, meaning captain and batsman Monank Patel could replace Shayan Jahangir if the former is fit to play.
Squad: Monank Patel (captain), Shayan Jahangir, Andries Gous, Nitish Kumar, Steven Taylor, Harmeet Singh, Corey Anderson, Milind Kumar, Nisarg Patel, Shadley van Schalkwyk, Ali Khan, Jessy Singh, Saurabh Netravalkar, Nosthush Kenjige.
Irish national team news
Ireland could make a change or two to the team that has lost two games out of two, but it is unclear where that change will come from.
Squad: Paul Stirling (captain), Mark Adair, Ross Adair, Andrew Balbirnie, Curtis Campher, Gareth Delany, George Dockrell, Graham Hume, Josh Little, Barry McCarthy, Neil Rock, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker, Ben White, Craig Young.
This story originally appeared on Aljazeera.com read the full story
