Vaughan fitness fight held up by rain

Round two of Michael Vaughan's fight for fitness was put on hold here following an overnight thunder storm that prevented any play on day two of England's three-day match against a Board XI.

Vaughan missed the drawn first Test against Pakistan because of a calf muscle injury and needs to prove he has recovered fully to have any chance of appearing in the second match of the series, at Faisalabad, next Wednesday.

It did not look encouraging for the Yorkshire batsman yesterday while England were dismissing the hosts for just 117 before reaching 76 for two in reply.

But, despite clearly limping in the field, Vaughan was still due to bat next today - until a saturated Bagh-i-Jinnah ground prevented any hope of a resumption before tomorrow morning.

"Michael is not 100 per cent fit but we just need to see how he goes," said coach Duncan Fletcher.

Both teams seemed keen to play but the umpires and match referee decided that key areas of the square and bowlers' run-ups were too squelchy.

The pitch had been adequately protected by covers during several hours of rain. Ground staff did their best to mop up elsewhere with sponges and cloths and were helped by some hazy sunshine, but they always appeared to be fighting a losing battle.

England did find enough dry ground, however, to stage a fielding practice session.

Last night's downpour provided Lahore with its first significant rainfall for months - and maintained the tourists' reputation as drought-breakers.

Peshawar had not seen a drop of rain for more than a month until Nasser Hussain's squad went there just before the first Test.