Sri Lanka’s first innings score currently stands on 282-6, after the day four was called off without a ball being bowled
14 December, 2019
PHOTO: AFP
Former Pakistan captain Inzamamul Haq has offered a unique solution to enforce a result in the ongoing first Test between Pakistan and Sri Lanka in Rawalpindi, which is heading towards a draw after continous interruptions from rain and bad light.
Sri Lanka’s first innings score currently stands on 282-6, after the day four was called off without a ball being bowled.
While speaking in a Youtube video, Inzamam suggested that both Pakistan and Sri Lanka should forfeit their first and second innings respectively, which will leave Pakistan to chase a total of 283 to bring about a result.
“Azhar Ali should offer Sri Lanka’s captain to declare their first innings for the score they have already posted and forfeit the second innings,” said Inzamam. “Pakistan should also declare their first innings for naught and then go on to chase Sri Lanka’s first innings total.”
“This has happened only once when South African skipper Hansie Cronje offered the same situation to visiting England captain Nasser Hussain after Day 2, 3 and 4 of the fifth Centurion Test got washed out,” he added.
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The conditions have put a dampener on the long-awaited return to Test cricket in Pakistan, following the 2009 militant attack on Sri Lanka's team bus that left eight people dead and several players and officials wounded.
But despite the poor weather, schoolchildren were thrilled when Pakistan players went to the fence to take selfies with them.
"I am over the moon as I had a selfie with (batsman) Babar Azam and my wish has come true," said Amna Ansari, a school student from Islamabad.
Gradual improvement in security allowed Pakistan to host limited-overs series from 2015 to 2019 but foreign teams refused to play five-day games.
The second Test starts in Karachi from December 19.
