INJURIES and bad weather threatened to ruin Pakistan's Independence Cup hopes, following their 115-run defeat by Sri Lanka in the first match of the best-of-three finals, in Mohali on Saturday. The Sri Lankans piled up 339 for four then restricted injury-hit Pakistan to 224.

Pakistan's hopes of fighting back in the next two games at Eden Gardens in Calcutta were dampened both by injuries to Inzamam-ul-Haq and Abdul Razzaq and inclement weather. Inzamam sustained a hairline fracture of his left thumb and Razzaq ruptured a blood vessel in his left hip while fielding.

Heavy rain in Calcutta has waterlogged the Eden Gardens outfield, and more rain is forecast. Sri Lanka will be declared winners of the tournament if there is no play tomorrow or on Wednesday.