Sri Lanka's opportunity washed away by storm

Farveez Maharoof bowls Kamran Akmal © AFP

The first one-dayer at the Premadasa International Stadium was washed out after a spectacular mid-innings thunderstorm drenched Colombo, flooding the stadium within minutes and denying Sri Lanka the chance to take a 1-0 lead in the series after a fine performance in the field that restricted Pakistan to a modest 201 for 8.

Sri Lanka's bowlers and fielders justified Marvan Atapattu's brave decision to bowl with a tight and disciplined display that restricted Pakistan to a modest 201-run total. The bowlers bowled gun-barrel straight and the fielders - aside from one blemish from Upul Tharanga who grassed a sitter off Younis Khan - were energetic and predatory.

Conventional wisdom at Premadasa suggests you bat first in day-nighters, and when Atapattu won the toss it was greeted with loud cheers as the crowd prepared for a Sri Lankan run feast. But Atapattu and the Sri Lanka team management correctly judged that this was an unusual two-paced surface with a smidgen of moisture lurking beneath the surface.

They were also aware that the weather forecasters had predicted rain during the evening. If Duckworth-Lewis was to be used after interruptions they wanted to make sure they were able to control their run chase. In the event it proved immaterial as the storm was so powerful that any hope of a resumption in the game was washed away within minutes.

Farveez Maharoof starred during the afternoon with a miserly new-ball effort, a performance he delivered while under close scrutiny following his lacklustre bowling during the Bangladesh Tests. He maintained parsimonious control and nipped the odd ball off the seam, including one that carved Kamran Akmal in two before knocking back the top of his off stump. Atapattu forced him through eight tight overs (2 for 16) and then when he brought him back he snapped up the prize scalp of Inzamam-ul-Haq, courtesy of a wonderful diving catch by Kumar Sangakkara.

Maharoof's exemplary performance - he finished with 3 for 24 - was followed by that of Kausal Lokuarachchi (3 for 47), who had been preferred to Malinga Bandara at the toss because of his greater value with the bat. In the end, though, he did admirably with the ball, accounting for three of Pakistan's most destructive batsmen: Mohammad Yousuf (46), Shahid Afridi (two) and Abdul Razzaq (32). But it was not just a two-man show with Muttiah Muralitharan bowling well for his 0 for 33 and Lasith Malinga also impressive (1 for 38).

The only time when it looked like Pakistan were building up some momentum was when Inzamam and Yousuf shared a 53-run stand in 68 balls. Inzamam was unfazed by the slowness of the pitch and actively hunted for scoring opportunities, using his feet expertly to Muralitharan. But Atapattu's decision to recall Maharoof ended his resistance as he was tricked by a slower delivery trying to glide a delivery down to third man.

Younis Khan (41), dropped on 16 by Tharanga, and Abdul Razzaq (32) though prevented a meek surrender with a 52-run partnership from 65 balls. The stand allowed Pakistan to limp past the 200-mark in the final over, giving them at least a semblance of hope had any play been possible.

Kamran Akmal b Maharoof 5 (8 for 1)
Ball nips back and hits top of off

Shoaib Malik b Maharoof 7 (27 for 2)
Chops on while driving off back foot

Salman Butt c Lokuarachchi b Muralitharan 26 (54 for 3)
Reached for and mistimed drive to short cover

Inzamam ul Haq c Sangakkara b Maharoof 24 (107 for 4)
Brilliant low diving catch off open-faced glide

Mohammad Yousuf c Dilshan b Lokuarchchi 46 (121 for 5)
Mistimed drive to cover

Shahid Afridi lbw Lokuarachchi 2 (127 for 6)
Hit on back leg after furious slog sweep - bad decision

Abdul Razzaq c Tharanga b Lokuarachchi 32 (179 for 7)
Holes out in deep looking for third six

Younis Khan b Prasad 41 (198 for 8)
Missed wild slog to leg