|
|
 |
 |
 |
| Tuesday, 12 October 2004 |
 |
|
 |
Sports | |
| News Business Features Editorial Security Politics World Letters Sports Obituaries
|
Rain scuppers Zim game, but Sri Lanka reach tri-series final RAWALPINDI, Pakistan, Monday, Asian champions Sri Lanka secured a place in the final of the tri-series tournament here Monday after their match against Zimbabwe was called off due to heavy overnight rain. Overnight rain left the outfield wet and some patches on the bowler's run up at both ends, and conditions did not improve despite determined efforts by ground staff. The two umpires - Australian Simon Taufel and Pakistan's Aleem Dar - after a third inspection of the pitch and the surrounding areas at 1:00 pm (0800 GMT) decided to abandon the match. "We did not want a silly game to be played with wet patches because safety of the players was most important," umpire Taufel said. Earlier Sri Lankan captain Marvan Atapattu and coach John Dyson showed the umpires the patches on the bowler's run up and both agreed that play was not possible. Both teams got three points each and with 10 points Sri Lanka qualify for the October 16 final scheduled for Lahore. Hosts Pakistan have already qualified for the final with 16 points and will play the last league match against Sri Lanka in Lahore on Thursday, which has no bearing on the final. Zimbabwe, who lost their previous three matches, two against Pakistan and one against Sri Lanka, managed just four points. "Obviously its disappointing not to get a chance to have a last go but it was out of our hands," said Zimbabwean captain Tatenda Taibu. Zimbabwe are due to fly back home early Tuesday and would play five one-day games against England next month. "We had a not very impressive first match at Multan, came back in the second at Peshawar but had a terrible third game at Rawalpindi on Saturday so it was a case of two steps forward and one back which we should avoid in future," said Taibu. Zimbabwe drew a two-day side game and suffered a humiliating innings defeat against a local side in a four-day match last month. Sri Lanka captain Marvan Atapattu said his team would have liked some practice. "It would have been good had we had some practice but now the focus is on October 14 match against Pakistan," said Atapattu. Sri Lanka also play two Tests against Pakistan after the one-day tri-series. **** Sumathipala for Lahore The Executive Committee of Sri Lanka Cricket at its meeting held recently unanimously decided to request Thilanga Sumathipala Immediate Past President and Executive Committee Member of SLC to attend the ICC executive/IDI Board Meeting in Lahore - October 16 & 17. Sumathipala is the longest serving ICC Executive Board Member who has been handling the most important affairs in the international arena for Sri Lanka Cricket. Sumathipala has agreed to attend the above meeting. |
|
News | Business | Features
| Editorial | Security
Produced by Lake House |
