Torrential rain spoil Asia Cup opener

Dhaka, May 28: Incessant rain forced abandonment of the inaugural match of the four-nation Asia Cup between reigning champions Sri Lanka and hosts Bangladesh on Sunday and waterlogged ground making bleak the prospect of any play on Monday also.

Soggy ground condition at the Bangabandhu National Stadium and torrential downpour ruled out prospect of staging the match even in the truncated form.

While pools of water around the outfield and flooded pitch providing sorry sight, weathermen made forecast of further rain througout rest of the week.

``Even if the rain stops, we need at least two sunny days to ready the ground,'' a member of the stadium staff said. ``If it continues like this, we will be lucky to get any play at all.''

Bangladesh Cricket Board president Saber Hussain Chowdhury, contrary to the reports, ruled out shifting the tournament out of the country in case the weather did not clear.

``That's not an option,'' he said. ``Even this tournament cannot be extended beyond June 8 since Pakistan will be touring Sri Lanka after this.''

Copyright © 2000 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.