Rain covers on at Bristol
Rain covers on at Bristol

Pakistan v Sri Lanka abandoned with out a ball bowled in Bristol


Pakistan and Sri Lanka were denied the chance to build on recent victories as their clash in Bristol became the first of the World Cup to fall foul of the weather.

Although the rain had eased off at around 2pm local time, umpires Nigel Llong and Ian Gould ruled there was no possibility of play because of a wet outfield, despite the best efforts of the ground staff.

Both teams, thrashed in their tournament openers before bouncing back with wins, have been awarded one point each as a result of the abandonment.

Pakistan were shot out for 105 by the West Indies at Trent Bridge but responded by upsetting hosts and favourites England in a high-scoring thriller at the same venue.

Sri Lanka, meanwhile, slumped to a 10-wicket hammering against New Zealand at Sophia Gardens before seeing off Afghanistan in a rain-reduced encounter in Cardiff.

But the prospects of starting on time in the south west were hit by the inclement weather and, though the rain eventually abated, it was decided half-an-hour before the final cut-off time of 4:15pm to call the game off.