May 05, 2007	Saturday	Rabi-us-Sani 17, 1428

LAHORE, May 4: The second practice match among the probables of the ongoing national cricket training camp could not be held due to overnight rain.

The match was to be played between Fazal Mehmood-XI and Imtiaz Ahmed-XI to provide the selectors an opportunity to test form and fitness of the probables, before finalizing a team for the three-match series against Sri Lanka at neutral venue in Abu Dhabi from May 18 to 22.

But surprisingly a light shower in the wee hours on Friday made Gaddafi Stadium's ground unplayable, despite the fact the stadium has almost all modern equipment to dry out the field area in hours.

There are reports that the recent uncertainty of job security disturbing the employees of the board about their future was a major reason behind the soggy ground.

The PCB had delivered some letters to the staff members, giving all of them either contracts stipulating working on daily wages or regular basis, contract which created panic and the dejected staff, having concerned about their future, could not make proper arrangements to cover the square.

The weather in the city has been hot for the last week, but sudden rain on Friday's morning made the ground wet.

Meanwhile, the probables only attended a training session in the evening and now the match will be played on Saturday.