Pakistan and India drew a rain-hit opening Test

There was bright sunshine in the central Punjab town on Thursday but cold and wet weather has been forecast for the start of the game on Saturday.

"We need a strong sun to make a hard wicket," said chief curator Agha Zahid.

"But the rain three days back and mild sunshine after that has made our job very difficult."

He added: "It will not be easy to make the best possible wicket but we are trying our hardest."

Agha, who played one Test against the West Indies in 1975, was also in charge of preparations for the first Test in Lahore.

Cold and wet conditions in northern Pakistan led to a lifeless wicket, bringing 1,089 runs for only eight wickets in the drawn match.

The Iqbal Stadium wicket has traditionally favoured batsmen, with 12 of the 23 Tests there having ended in draws. Pakistan have won six Tests and lost five.

India lost at the venue in 1982 during Pakistan's 3-0 series win but drew three other matches, including the last one in 1989, when a 16-year-old Sachin Tendulkar made his first Test half-century.

India coach Greg Chappell will also have fond memories of the ground where he made 235 not out as Australian captain in 1979 during another high-scoring draw.

In November, England wriggled out of a tight situation in a weather-hit game when they slumped to 164-6 in their second innings, while chasing a target of 285.