The first of the 3-match ODI series between Pakistan and tourists Sri Lanka has been called-off due to persistent rain at the National Stadium in Karachi.
The decision was taken by the umpires at about 4.30 local time (5 pm SL time) extending Karachi’s wait to host ODIs. The last ODI in the stadium was played way back in 2009 between the same two teams. This also goes down in history as the first abandoned ODI in Karachi.
Interestingly, the last ODI between Sri Lanka and Pakistan in the 2019 World Cup was also washed out without a single ball bowled in Bristol, England.
The organizers expected a packed house in Karachi for the game as the cricket crazy locals have been deprived of international cricket for a long time.
Stand-in skipper Lahiru Thirimanne highly appreciated the security and facilities provided to his team by the Pakistani authorities in the pre-series press conference yesterday and also stressed that his boys are more focused on cricket than the security.
With the prevailing weather condition in Karachi being inadequate for cricket, it has been decided mutually by the two boards to postpone the 2nd ODI by a day to allow the ground-staff prepare the National Stadium outfield for next week’s play. So the 2nd ODI will now be played on the 30th Monday and not on the 29th Sunday as scheduled initially.
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