Pallekelle makes World Cup debut

Chris DHAMBARAGE reporting from Pallekele

The newly constructed Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Kandy finally made its World Cup and One Day International debut while playing host to a Group 'A' match between Pakistan and New Zealand under lights yesterday.

There were severe doubts last month after heavy rains played havoc on previous international fixtures.

The stadium managed to host the inaugural Test match in December between Sri Lanka and the West Indies but bad weather again played havoc with rain preventing the completion of a single innings. Meanwhile a capacity crowd of over 30,000 are expected to flock to this picturesque Pallekele International Stadium when co hosts Sri Lanka take on Zimbabwe in another Group 'A' match on Thursday.