TheSportsCampus

A tantalizing poised series decider between Pakistan and Sri Lanka was handed a severe blow on Monday as rain washed out the entire second day's play of the third and final test in Pallekele. With 13 wickets falling on an exciting opening day, there was every reason to assume that this test match would indeed produce a result, but chances of that happening were hampered today as not a ball was bowled on a day when the rain only offered brief respite.

The scheduling of test series in the middle of the monsoon season is perpetually questioned in Sri Lanka, and one can understand why fans are not flocking towards the 5-day game after day's like today leave the small spattering who turned up for a holiday completely frustrated.

As far as the match is concerned, Pakistan are still very much in this contest, despite having been knocked over for just 226 in their first innings, having removed the big 2 - Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene - in the Sri Lankan top order to leave the hosts at 44-3 at the close of play on Day 1.

The Umpires have promised to start play 15 minutes early tomorrow, but making up for lost time depends on how the weather plays out.

Teams:

Sri Lanka: D Chandimal, T Paranavitana, K Sangakkara, M Jayawardene (c), T Samaraweera, A Mathews, P Jayawardene (wk), T Perera, N Kulasekara, R Herath, D Fernando

Pakistan: T Umar, M Hafeez, A Ali, Y Khan, Misbah-ul-Haq (c),A Shafiq, A Akmal(wk), S Ajmal, U Gul, M Sami, J Khan

Mini Scorecard:

Pakistan 226 all out (72.5 overs, 3.1 rpo)
A Shafiq 75 (158) T Perera 4-63
Misbah-ul-Haq 40 (95) R Herath 3-40

Sri Lanka 44-3 (14.4 overs, 3 rpo)
T Paranavitana 13*(32) J Khan 2-15
M Jayawardene12 (24) M Sami 1-2