TENSE SITUATION AT KHETTARAMA GROUNDS!

Further information keeps pouring in with regard

It is said that this was a friction which had arisen between two intoxicated persons around 9 o'clock and had further developed towards a conflict between two parties in the pavilion. Whatever it is, international media reports that even the third umpire had witnessed this situation across security cameras. All said and done the conflict had later spread into a situation by about 9.45 where bottles, glass and pieces of stones were being hurled. The attention of everybody at the grounds was then focused on what was happening.

When the 33rd over of the game was being bowled, someone who was involved in the conflict had hurled something like a stone at a Pakistan player who had been fielding close to the boundary in the vicinity of the pavilion and it had struck his body. On that occasion since he had rushed to the dressing-room with injuries, the game had to be stopped halfway. Later all fielders had got together in the middle of the field and had been watching this fight not being able to fathom what was taking place. Simultaneously the anti-riot squad unit had been summoned to the grounds and they managed to remove those who were engaged in the fight. In the process the police had received instructions to evacuate all spectators. In the meantime Pakistan was well in sight of victory and therefore the third umpire had the option to grant victory to them and call off play, but Jawagal Shrinath thought otherwise. Hence, the match resumed after a break of about 30 minutes.

Third umpire Jawagal Shrinath had decided not to abandon the game although this tension flared up at Colombo R. Premadasa (Khettarama) Grounds. As such, it was announced that the match was to resume once more at 10.05 o'clock. Whatever it is, as the stands were minus the spectators, the rest of the overs were to be bowled without the attendance of the spectators.

Because of the complex situation which broke out at Khettarama Cricket Grounds this night, it was reported by now that a player had faced injury as a result of something similar to a stone being thrown at him from outside. It is still not reported as to who it is who had done it. Whatever it is, though the situation has been brought under control with the anti-riot squad unit appearing on the scene, as the situation was not conducive for the game to continue, the third umpire was to call off the game, it was understood. By now the police had taken steps to evacuate all members of the audience from the stands. International cricket commentators had exclaimed that Sri Lanka having to report an incident of this nature was a sorry state of affairs.

It is reported that a tense situation has broken out at Khettarama Grounds where the Sri Lanka - Pakistan One Day match is in progress as a day and night match.

As a result of tensed situation that arose among a crowd in one stand the match had to be stopped for sometime, it is reported. It was also reported that the anti-riot squad unit had to be called for to control the situation which has gone to the extent of stones and bottles being hurled from outside.

Pakistan who batted first amassed 316 runs and Sri Lanka who collected 157 for 7 wickets are facing the pressure of a defeated mentality. Further information about the incident in future.