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| Sunday, 10 March 2002 |
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Sri Lanka frustrated by rain in Asian Test final LAHORE, Pakistan, March 9 (AFP) - Sri Lankan were frustrated in their bid to win the Asian Test championship final against Pakistan as intermittent rain marred play on the fourth day here Saturday. Pakistan progressed to 218-5 in the two short sessions of 51 minutes before rain forced the umpires to call for early tea and play looked likely to end early as rain clouds continue to threaten the stadium. In all 243 minutes of play was lost until tea. Inzamam-ul Haq was batting on 54 and Shoaib Malik was on 11. Pakistan need another 76 to avoid an innings defeat. "You can't do anything when it rains but we hope it gets clear so that we can force a win," said Sri Lankan captain Sanath Jayasuriya. Only 4.5 overs were bowled as Pakistan resuming at 193-5 progressed to 204-5 when rain forced the umpires to call an early lunch. Umpires Daryl Harper of Australia and Pakistan's Athar Zaidi carried out two inspections of the ground but drizzle continued to halt the action. Sri Lanka spoiled a good chance to grab Pakistan's sixth wicket when Mahela Jayawardene spilled a straight forward edge from Malikm off Muttiah Muralitharan. Haq reached his 31st half century when he drove Muralitharan to cover boundary. He reached the mark in 187 minutes with three fours. Pakistan were dismissed for 234 in their first innings while Sri Lanka amassed 528 in reply with a dazzling 230 from Kumar Sangakkara. Pakistan won the inaugural Asian Test championship in 1998-99, which India also competed in. India, however, pulled out of this second championship maintaining its boycott of cricket with Pakistan over the Kashmir dispute. |
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