COLOMBO  - The washout of the third one day international has prompted a re-think in the playing conditions of the Sri Lanka Pakistan series. Now there will be a reserve day for the remaining two games.
“There will be no change of venue. We have decided on reserve days for the remaining matches. For Saturday’s match, Sunday will be the reserve day, while for Monday’s match, Tuesday will be the reserve day,” Sri Lanka Cricket President Upali Dharmadasa told The Hindu, when asked about the changes. This could mean back-to-back matches since there is a rain forecast for Saturday.
This follows an initial request from Pakistan Cricket officials on Thursday for a change of venue because of the rain forecast for Saturday’s match too. Pakistan was in favour of playing in Galle, but Sri Lankan officials pointed out that the series was played day-night and hence, Galle, which has no floodlights, could not be the venue. In any case, Galle was also experiencing showers.  The other option explored was Hambantota, which is in a rain shadow area. But the logistics of transporting both the teams, setting up transmission facilities and associated infrastructure in such a short time span in a town on the other coast was mind boggling.
The idea was given up after going over these details.