Hurricane Akash closes door on final ODI

Chittagong, May 15 (UNI) The ODI series that began with a bang ended in a whimper after hurricane Akash left the ground conditions unfit for the game to proceed here today.

The hurricane that lashed coastal Chittagong this morning left its splinter effects on the city proper with gale winds and torrents pouring in bouts since last night. The stadium was itself unscathed, but the ground too soggy for any kind of recovery.

India has already clinched the series 2-0 and the abandoned match has no effect on the fate of the series.

The pitch was under heavy covers since last night and after three sets of inspections at 9.20 am, 12 noon and 1 pm, the match was called off.

Umpire Emanuel Haq later said, ''The ground is too wet for a game to happen. It will take at least two hours to dry up. So the match has been called off as it would mean inadequate time to hold the game in any format.'' Match refree Roshan Mahanama accompanied the umpires and captains on the second and third inspections and all were unanimous that the game could not begin. The other umpire for the match was Ashoka D'silva.

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