1st Test: Pakistan play volleyball instead of cricket on washed out day

Earlier, the rain on the match’s eve has given the Pakistan team management a selection headache

KARACHI: It had been raining before the Test match began between Pakistan and Sri Lanka in Galle and it continued to rain on Wednesday as the showers had the last laugh forcing the players to be limited to their hotel.

Both captains and players were not able to see the pitch on the eve of the match because of continuous rain and it remained the similar case on the first day as ground was fully covered while none of them were bothered to even leave their hotels.

The Pakistani team did get up on time but their match was limited to the table with the breakfast instead of an encounter with Sri Lanka. Several times it was reported that the field would be inspected but before the process could be followed, the skies broke down again.

Misbahul Haq and his charges were finally told in the afternoon that the play has been called off which allowed them to have a legitimate sleeping time without any interruption.

But the Pakistan team did workout in the evening as they were involved in a game of Volleyball and gym activity.

“Our hotel is really close to the ground which is why the teams stayed in the hotel throughout waiting for the clearance from match officials,” a team member told The Express Tribune.

“After a nap in the afternoon, everyone gathered to play a volleyball match in one of the courts of our hotel which was followed by some gym time to ensure that everyone remain fit and focus for Thursday.”