ISLAMABAD: It was all rain and bad light as mere 5.2 overs play was possible on the third day of the first Test of two-match series between Sri Lanka and Pakistan at the Pindi Stadium Friday.
Sri Lanka fetched 19 more during that period without losing a wicket and currently stand at 282 for 6 in what looked like never ending first innings.
Dhananjaya de Silva took his overnight score from 72 not out to 87. Dilruwan Perera (6 not out) were at the crease going into the fourth day Saturday. Only 91.5 overs play was possible on the first three days, making the result highly unlikely even if there would be a full day’s play on the fourth and fifth day.
The chances of rain and bad light are very much there even for the fourth day Saturday. Following long and arduous wait, the match got under way at around 1.10pm and was again stopped at 1.37pm due to bad light. Even though there was no rain during the period of day’s play, skies were totally overcast and heavy making it increasingly difficult for the field umpires to start proceedings. Even when they dared to do so, there was not much hope of a longer play. Following brief resumption, the match was again stopped 5.2 overs later. All the hopes of sizeable crowd present at the Stadium died down when finally field umpires called off day’s play at around 3.35pm because of increasing dim light and no hope of improvement.
Some near misses and a few delightful strokes from Dhananjaya de Silva was all the fans were treated to on the third day. Shaheen Shah Afridi (2-58) and Naseem Shah (2-83) were the two bowlers used by Azhar Ali on a low-light marred day without any luck. Dhananjaya de Silva closely survived an inside edge that squeezed near the stumps and a few other deliveries just missed the bat of Perera.
Dhananjaya de Silva has so far struck 13 boundaries in his innings that held Sri Lanka innings together. His 221 minutes stay at the wicket made sure Sri Lanka used the opportunity of batting first, well.
With just two days remaining in this test of nerves and patience for players, fans and even for media that has gathered from all over Pakistan and Sri Lanka, the match result looks highly unlikely. The element of interest that now remains in the Test is that of Pakistan batting. Following disastrous tour Down Under, fans are eagerly looking forward to a better show from Pakistan top-order which may be seen in action Saturday.
In all 171.5 overs play has so far been lost to bad weather, making result difficult during the possible 180 overs during the next two days. Considering the weather forecast, full two days play is highly unlikely.
Sri Lanka 1st innings (overnight 263/6):
D. Karunaratne lbw b Shaheen 59
O. Fernando c Sohail b Naseem 40
K. Mendis c Rizwan b Shinwari 10
A. Mathews c Shafiq b Naseem 31
D. Chandimal b Abbas 2
D. de Silva not out 87
N. Dickwella c Azam b Shaheen 33
D. Perera not out 6
Extras: (b 5, lb 6, nb 3) 14
Total: (for six wkts; 91.5 overs) 282
Bowling: Abbas 24-9-56-1, Shaheen 22-7-58-2 (nb3), Shinwari 15-4-54-1, Naseem 24.5-5-83-2, Sohail 3-0-12-0, Masood 1-1-0-0, Shafiq 2-0-8-0
Toss: Sri Lanka
Umpires: Richard Kettleborough (ENG) and Michael Gough (ENG)
TV umpire: Richard Illingworth (ENG)
Match referee: Andy Pycroft (ZIM).