Rain threatens Lanka's one-day international return in Karachi

Rain played the spoilsport during the first day-night international between Pakistan and Sri Lanka on Friday (September 27), the first in Karachi for 10 years.

The pitch and outfield were covered and the toss was delayed from its scheduled 2:30 PM slot with both teams staying inside their dressing rooms.

Pakistan has not hosted a limited-overs match since January 2009 when Sri Lanka played two back-to-back matches at the Karachi National Stadium as in March of the same year, during the same tour, the Sri Lankan team bus was attacked in Lahore — forcing the suspension of international cricket in Pakistan.

Since then, Pakistan has been hosting and playing its home tours in the neutral venues of the United Arab Emirates. This year Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) convinced Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) to send their team, assuring them of the high degree of protection, usually reserved for visits by heads of state.

Also read: Sri Lanka squad leave for tour of Pakistan despite security concerns

However, Karachi will see a depleted Sri Lankan team as top ten players including their ODI captain Dimuth Karunaratne and former captains Angelo Mathews and Dinesh Chandimal, withdrew from the tour citing security concerns.

The tour was stalled after SLC received threats of possible terror attacks on their team in Pakistan before getting the all-clear last week.

The remaining two ODIs will be played in Karachi on Sunday (September 29) and Wednesday (September 2).

Sri Lanka will also play three Twenty20 internationals in Lahore on October 5, 7 and 9.

(With inputs from agencies)