A sell-out 35,000 crowd in Colombo was left disappointed after heavy rain robbed them of a potentially thrilling match between co-hosts Sri Lanka and defending champions Australia on Saturday.

The Group A clash between the 1996 winners and winners of the past three World Cups was shaping up well until heavy rain, coupled with thunderstorms, forced the teams from the field. The match was later abandoned.

The no-result gives both teams one point each, leaving Pakistan at the top of Group A with six points from three matches. Australia have five points from three matches and Sri Lanka have five points from four.