PAK vs SL | First ODI in Karachi abandoned, second match postponed

After much hype had been created around the first ODI between Sri Lanka and Pakistan in Karachi that would have marked the return of international fifty over cricket to the venue, rain played spoilsport to prevent the match from going through. The intensity and volume of the rain was such that large areas of the stadium were left covered in water, with pools having been formed outside the ground.

Even though the region doesn’t usually receive much rainfall during this time of the year, it has been raining there for quite a few days now and was once again seen as soon as the players entered the stadium to prepare for the match. Considering the possibility of further rains and the present condition of the ground, the second match will now be played on Monday instead of the previously scheduled Sunday.

“This week's unseasonal heavy rains have forced us to review the series schedule. I am thankful to Sri Lanka Cricket, as well as our host broadcasters, for agreeing to amend the match schedule to ensure there are no further abandonments due to rain in what is an important bilateral FTP series for Pakistan,” Pakistan Cricket Board director Zakir Khan stated, reported Sportstar.

The final ODI, also to be held in Karachi, will still be played on the second of October as mentioned in the original schedule and will mark the completion of the ODI series.nThis will be followed by three T20Is in Lahore from the fifth to the ninth of October in what is Sri Lanka’s first tour of the Asian country i=since their bus was attacked by terrorists there a decade ago.