Rain plays spoilsport in Pakistan-Sri Lanka Test

Bad weather washed out the entire second day’s play in the third and final Test between Pakistan and Sri Lanka in Pallekele yesterday. The entire field at the Pallekele International Stadium was covered as incessant rain since early morning, the heaviest in the region in the last two months, kept the players indoors. Umpires Steve Davis and Simon Taufel waited till 3:00 pm (0930 GMT) before they abandoned play for the day when the weather showed no signs of clearing. Light rain has been forecast for the remaining three days. The match is evenly poised after an enthralling opening day’s cricket on Sunday when Pakistan reduced Sri Lanka to 44-3 after being shot out for 226 in their first innings. The interruption gave Pakistani wicket-keeper Adnan Akmal time to recover from a hairline fracture in his left hand after he was hit by a rising ball from fast bowler Dilhara Fernando on the first day. Akmal, who retired hurt on 10 but later returned to make 24, did not take the field in Sri Lanka’s first innings where Taufeeq Umar kept wickets. Sri Lanka lead the series 1-0, having won the first Test in Galle by 209 runs. The second Test in Colombo was drawn. from gulf times.