This collapses the whole alleged conspiracy of simultaneous...

This collapses the whole alleged conspiracy of simultaneous attack to both armies during the night. Qatadah reported the following: When the two armies faced each other, Zubair appeared on his horse while he was well armed. People said to Ali, 'This is Zubair.' Upon that Ali said: 'Zubair is the more expected of the two to remember God, if he is reminded.' Talha also came to face Ali. When Ali faced them, he said: 'Certainly you have prepared arms, horses, and men.

Did you prepare an excuse for the Day of Judgment when you meet your Lord? Fear God and do not be like the lady who unravels her weaving after she had woven it strongly. Was I not your brother and you used to believe in the sanctity of my blood?

Did anything happen to make it legal for you to shed my blood?' Talha said: 'You have instigated people against Uthman.' Imam Ali replied, quoting from the Quran: 'On that day (the day of judgment), Allah will pay them their just due, and they will know that, indeed, Allah is the Manifest Truth.(Quran 24:25).' Then Ali continued: 'Talha, you are fighting for the blood of Uthman? May God curse those who killed Uthman.

Zubair, do you remember the day when you passed by with the Messenger of God at Banu Ghunam and he looked at me and smiled? I smiled back at him and you said to him: 'Ibn Abu Talib is always conceited. 'The Messenger of God said to you: 'He is not conceited, and you shall fight him unjustly.' Zubair said: 'By God, this is true. Had I remembered that, I would not have made this journey.

By God, I shall never fight you.' Then Zubair left and informed Aisha and his son Abdullah that he took an oath to never fight Ali. His son counseled him to fight against Ali and pay atonement (Kaffaarah) for breaking his oath. Zubair agreed and made his atonement by freeing his slave Mak'hul.

Sunni references: History of al-Tabari, Arabic version, Events of year 36 AH, v4, pp501-502 History of Ibn al-Athir, v3, p240 al-Isti'ab, Ibn Abd al-Barr, v2, p515 Usdul Ghabah, v2, p252 al-Isabah, by Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani, v2, p557 This event clearly tells us that Talha and Zubair confronted Imam Ali (AS) BEFORE the start of the battle, and the confrontation was in the day time rather than at night.

Otherwise, people could not have seen the confrontation or heard the conversation between the Imam and his opponents and recognize each other in the Helmet (metal head-cover).