Pakistan struggling on 12 for 2 against Sri Lanka:

Third ODI abandoned due to rain

Elmo RODRIGOPULLE reporting

The rain cased great disapointment at the R. Premadasa Stadium.

The Third One-Day International which was expected to be a blockbuster was blocked by rain and abandoned after 6.2 overs with Pakistan losing 2 wickets for 12 runs against Sri Lanka at the R.Premadasa International Cricket Stadium, yesterday.

It was a sad ending to a game that promised thrill- a- minute cricket, what with both teams locked at one each in a five match series. After a final inspection at 8.30 p.m. and after consulting the captains and coaches the umpires decided to abandon the game.

The 4th game will be played at the same venue on Saturday.

However the rains and no action did not dampen the enthusiasm of the cricket crazy fans who had come with their papare, papare bands. They enjoyed themselves singing and dancing and making big noise.

It was a bit overcast when Captains Mahela Jayawardena and Misbah Ul-Haq walked out toss. For once Jayawardena lost the toss and Pakistan elected to bat first on a wicket that looked dry.

Better late than never it is said and Sri Lanka gave left arm spinner Sajeewa Weerakoon his first international game at 34 when most cricketers would have been contemplating retirement. Why was he ignored for so long? He came in for Rangana Herath who was rested after playing in the first Two One-dayers in Pallekelle.

Weerakoon becomes he second-oldest debutant in ODIs for Sri Lanka with the first being former Sri Lanka Captain Michael Tissera under whom Sri Lanka won its first Unofficial Test. Later Tissera went on to manage the Sri Lanka team.

Lasith Malinga making an appeal. Pictures by Rukmal Gamage

Rain had been predicted in the afternoon and evening and after the umpires had called ‘play’, and Lasith Malinga delivered the first ball, the rains came down which sent the players scurrying into the pavilion.

Pakistan dropped left arm paceman Rahat Ali and brought in right hand batsman Asad Shafiq to strengthen the batting. When play resumed after over an hour, Sri Lanka had success coming their way when Lasith Maling got a ball to move late which Mohame Hafeez touched for Kumar Sangakkara to pocket the catch. 0-1-0.It was the ideal beginning for Sri Lanka.

After 6.2 overs, it got gloomy, and the umpires Asoka de Silva and Paul Reiffel took the players off with the score on 12 and rains followed, with Asad Shafiq on 5 and Misbah yet to score.

Before the rains came down a second time, Azhar Ali was out LBW to Nuwan Kulesekera for 7.12-2-7. Lasith Malinga had 1 for 9 and Nuwan Kulesekera 1 for 3.

		Pakistan
Mohammad Hafeez c Sangakkara b Malinga	 	00
Azhar Ali lbw b Kulasekara	 		07
Asad Shafiq not out	 			05
Misbah-ul-Haq not out	 			00
Total (for two wickets; 6.2 overs)	 	12

Fall of wickets: 1-0 (Hafeez), 2-12 (Azhar).

Bowling: Malinga 3-0-9-1, Kulasekara 3-1-3-1, Mathews 0.2-0-0-0.