Wild weather threatens to derail World Cup grudge match as captains refuse to confirm handshake intentions

Wild weather threatens to derail Monday's T20 World Cup clash between India and Pakistan, but it won't be smooth sailing even if the match starts on time.

The match will take place in Colombo, Sri Lanka, where heavy rainfall is forecast in the lead-up to the 12:30am (AEST) start time.

One model of the forecast has over 5mm of rain falling, which would almost certainly trigger an anticlimactic washout.

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Both teams currently have four points in the group stage after two games. A washout would give each a shared point and allow both to advance through to the Super Eight stage of the World Cup.

As much as the rain suits both teams, it's hard to imagine the two countries ever working cooperatively to such a result.

Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav was coy when asked whether he and his team would shake hands with the Pakistani players ahead of the match.

"Wait for 24 hours, no?" he said when asked by reporters.

"Why are you [speculating] now? We have come here to play cricket, we'll play good cricket. We will take the call [on handshake] later. Dine well, sleep."

They have not shaken hands before or after matchups, most recently at the Asia Cup, in the wake of the conflict between the two countries in 2025.

Pakistani captain Salman Agha also opted against answering the handshake question when asked.

"The game should be played in that spirit of cricket," Agha said on Saturday.

"What I expect doesn't matter. But I do feel the game should be played in the way it has been played since cricket started. Rest is up to them [India], whatever they want to do."

When asked if they would shake hands, he added: "We will find out tomorrow".

The tournament has 60 minutes of extra time allotted in case of rain delays, while R Premadasa Stadium also boasts covers to protect the entire field, rather than just the pitch.

The match is currently sold out and expected to be one of the most watched global sporting events of the year.

Pakistan announced on February 16 that they planned to boycott the match against India, but ultimately changed their call after negotiations with the ICC.

Their 10-day standoff was eventually brought to a close, with all eyes now on Monday's game.

Some estimates suggest this match could rival 2011's World Cup final between India and Sri Lanka, which drew in 558 million viewers worldwide.