Pakistan's World Cup-winning captain says dew will favour the team batting second in the day-night fixtures of the World Cup. —Photo by AFP
Pakistan\'s World Cup-winning captain says dew will favour the team batting second in the day-night fixtures of the World Cup. —Photo by AFP
KARACHI: Pakistan’s World Cup-winning captain Imran Khan has predicted the “dew factor” will play a critical role in the outcome of matches at the World Cup.

“Apart from the related strengths and weaknesses of the participating teams I think the dew factor in day and night matches will decide results,” Imran told a local sports channel.

“I think any team batting second will have a huge advantage as the ball keeps on getting wet, the outfield is wet and bowlers find it hard to grip the ball,” said Imran.

The cricketer-turned politician pointed out that in March and April in day and night matches pitches tended to be flatter because of the warm weather.

“And in these months I know by experience that the dew factor also becomes very important in the sub-continent,” he said.

“In 1996, Sri Lanka won the final at Lahore because they chose to chase and ended up getting the advantage of heavy dew making life very difficult for the Australian bowlers.”

The organisers have scheduled 36 of the 49 matches in the World Cup as day-night fixtures in the three host countries, India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.

The quarter-finals, semis and final are all day-night fixtures.

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