BRISTOL, England: The Cricket World Cup had its first washout on Friday with rain preventing any ball being bowled in the group match between Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
The 11th game of the tournament always looked under threat on Day 9 after persistent rain in the morning at Bristol’s County Ground.
The rain started to ease around noon and conditions had improved at the time of a pitch inspection, with occasional sunshine, but umpires decided the ground was too wet. The decision was announced shortly after 3:45 p.m. local time (1445 GMT).
Hundreds of Pakistan and Sri Lanka fans, draped in their country’s colors, had hoped at least for a reduced, 20-over match but took the decision well. Sri Lanka supporters have already seen one rain-interrupted game, where the 1996 champions beat Afghanistan in Cardiff.
Pakistan and Sri Lanka went into the game with a win and a loss, and now each get a point for the washout.
Sri Lanka will value that point more than its opponent. Pakistan had won all seven of their previous CWC completed matches with Sri Lanka, including three in England and Wales.
Sri Lanka’s next game is against Bangladesh here Tuesday. Pakistan plays defending champion Australia in Taunton on Wednesday.
Pakistan had ended a run of 11 straight losses in one-day internationals by beating top-ranked England by 14 runs in a thriller at Trent Bridge on Monday. That impressive performance came after its second-lowest World Cup total of 105 in a shambolic opening loss to West Indies.
Pakistan, Sri Lanka share points in 1st washout at World Cup
Pakistan, Sri Lanka share points in 1st washout at World Cup
- Both teams now have three points, with one win and a loss apiece.
- Pakistan will play the defending champion Australia in Taunton on Wednesday
Pakistan says operation against Afghan forces to continue until objectives are achieved
- Fighting started this week after Afghan forces attacked Pakistani military installations in retaliation for earlier strikes
- Afghan government spokesperson says air defense attacks were carried out Pakistan aircraft in Kabul on Sunday morning
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan military’s operation against Afghanistan forces along the border is still underway and will continue until all objectives are achieved, state media reported on Sunday citing security sources.
The latest round of clashes between the two sides began on Thursday night after Afghanistan’s forces attacked Pakistani military installations along their shared border.
The worst fighting between the neighbors in several years began after Pakistani airstrikes targeted what Islamabad described as militant hideouts inside Afghanistan earlier this month, triggering retaliatory fire along the frontier and sharply escalating long-running tensions. Islamabad accuses Kabul of sheltering Pakistani Taliban militants responsible for attacks inside Pakistan, an allegation that Afghanistan denies.
Pakistan’s Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said on Saturday that 352 Afghan Taliban fighters had been killed and more than 535 wounded since the latest phase of hostilities began.
“The security sources said Operation Ghazb Lil-Haq is still underway and will continue until objectives are achieved,” state broadcaster Radio Pakistan reported.
The state media said Pakistan’s army has taken control of an Afghan Taliban military post at the border in northwestern Pakistan.
It shared a video of what it said were Pakistani soldiers crossing into Afghanistan from the northwestern North Waziristan area to capture the Afghan post on the other side of the border.
Arab News could not independently verify the claims.
Earlier during the day, gunshots and explosions were reported in Kabul. Afghan government spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said the sounds were the result of Afghan forces targeting Pakistani aircraft over the capital.
“Air defense attacks were carried out in Kabul against Pakistani aircraft,” Mujahid wrote on X. “Kabul residents should not be concerned.”
Since the conflict began this week, diplomatic efforts have intensified with several countries, including global bodies such as the European Union and United Nations, urging restraint and calling for talks.
