RAWALPINDI, Pakistan: Rain for the third consecutive day has delayed the resumption of the first test in Pakistan in 10 years.
Overnight rain left plenty of water on the covers at the Pindi Cricket Stadium and the outfield is also soggy.
The ground staff is busy in clearing water off the covers, but its still quite heavily overcast and the possibility of play before lunch on Saturday looks unlikely.
Sri Lanka, which last played a test in Pakistan in 2009, is 282-6 in its first innings with Dhananjaya de Silva unbeaten on 87 and Dilruwan Perera not out on 6.
So far only 91.5 overs of play has been possible in the first test of the two-match series which is part of ICC’s World Test Championship.
The wet weather in the northern city of Pakistan has badly affected the revival of test cricket in Pakistan for over a decade. Rawalpindi last hosted a test match in 2004 when India beat Pakistan by an innings margin.
Sri Lanka was the last team to play a test match in Pakistan, when terrorists attacked the touring team’s bus in Lahore in March 2009. The ambush killed eight people and left several Sri Lankan players and officials injured.
In the interim, Pakistan has played its home test matches on neutral territory, mostly in the United Arab Emirates.
Wet weather delays resumption of Pakistan vs Sri Lanka test
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Wet weather delays resumption of Pakistan vs Sri Lanka test
- Overnight rain left plenty of water on the covers at the Pindi Cricket Stadium
- The possibility of play before lunch on Saturday looks unlikely
ILT20 season 4 set for blockbuster finish as playoffs begin
- The playoffs begin on Tuesday in Abu Dhabi, where Desert Vipers will face MI Emirates in Qualifier 1 for a direct berth in the final
DUBAI: The International League T20’s fourth season has reached the playoff stage, with the final four confirmed after Abu Dhabi Knight Riders sealed the last spot with a 32-run win over Gulf Giants.
The playoffs begin on Tuesday in Abu Dhabi, where Desert Vipers will face MI Emirates in Qualifier 1 for a direct berth in the final.
The Abu Dhabi Knight Riders will then take on defending champions Dubai Capitals in the Eliminator in Dubai on Thursday. The winner will advance to Qualifier 2 in Sharjah to meet the loser of Qualifier 1 to determine the second spot in the final, set for Jan. 4 at Dubai International Stadium.
The Vipers topped the league stage with eight wins, including a historic Super Over victory against Gulf Giants.
Key contributors include Max Holden (318 runs), Sam Curran (285 runs, seven wickets), and bowlers Khuzaima Tanveer (14 wickets) and David Payne (12 wickets).
MI Emirates, who secured second place with a late-season five-match winning streak, are evenly matched against the Vipers historically, with four wins apiece.
UAE star Muhammad Waseem (293 runs) has been a standout performer.
Reigning champions Capitals finished the league stage with five wins and five losses, led by bowlers Waqar Salamkheil (17 wickets) and Mustafizur Rahman (15 wickets), and batsmen Jordan Cox (311 runs) and Shayan Jahangir (302 runs).
The Knight Riders, making only their second playoff appearance, will face a Capitals side that has won eight of nine previous encounters between the two. Ajay Kumar (15 wickets) has been their top bowler this season.
The ILT20 carries a total prize pool of over $1 million, with $700,000 for the champions and $300,000 for the runners-up.
