Downpours wash out one-day opener
Staff Report

RAWALPINDI—The first of five one-day internationals between Pakistan and West Indies at Rawalpindi has been abandoned due to heavy rain.
Umpires Daryl Harper and Aleem Dar called off the match after three days of torrential downpours left the ground waterlogged. “The umpires asked the curator if he could hand them over the ground in three hours time but he said this would not be possible despite the rains having stopped,” Pakistan Cricket Board spokesman Naushad Ali said. “They have called off the match due to wet conditions of the ground and square.”
Brian Lara said his team would now focus on Thursday’s second match. “The weather wasn’t great but we have to move on,” he said. “The focus is now on the second match as the series moves on.”
Pakistan will be boosted by the return of Inzamam-ul-Haq. Despite the fact that the first ODI was abandoned, the match will still count as part of the four-match ban he received in the wake of the Oval affair.
Having missed Pakistan’s three games in the Champions Trophy and now this one, for which he wasn’t selected, Inzamam will be allowed to return for the second ODI in Faisalabad on December 7.