12 October 2004	Tuesday	26 Shaban 1425

RAWALPINDI, Oct 11: Sri Lanka advanced to the final of the tri-series competition on Monday without having to take the field after their match with Zimbabwe was abandoned without a ball being bowled at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.

Although the sun came out a bit late in the morning following Sunday's heavy rain, the damage had been done. Umpires Simon Taufel and Aleem Dar made three inspections before announcing at 1.00pm that there would be no play.

The ground staff tried to dry up the square and the soggy bowlers' run-up at both ends but their efforts went in vain. "We did not want a silly game to be played with wet patches," Taufel said. "Safety of the players was most important."

The decision to call off the match meant that Sri Lanka, who needed only a point to qualify for the final, earned three from this game to finish with 10 points. Pakistan who had already made the final, had 16 points while Zimbabwe, winless in the tournament, had to be content with four.

The final of the tournament is slated for Saturday 16 while before that the two teams will square off in the last league match on Thursday in what will be a full dress rehearsal. Both games, that take place in Lahore, will be played under lights.

As Zimbabwe headed home, their captain Tatenda Taibu said that no one had control over the weather and termed the tour as a good learning experience for his side. On this tour, Zimbabwe were without their experienced players including their captain Heath Streak and Andy Blignaut, following a rebellion by 15 white players and the suspension of their Test status.