Pakistan strike early in Sri Lanka Test

Pakistan struck an early blow after sending Sri Lanka in to bat in overcast conditions as play finally began in the rain-hit first Test in Galle on Thursday.

After inclement weather had washed out the entire first day's play, the match began two hours late on the second day due to a wet outfield at the Galle International Stadium.

In the 16 overs bowled in the shortened morning session, Sri Lanka moved to 40 for one by lunch with Kumar Sangakkara on four and Kaushal Silva on eight.

Left-handed Dimuth Karunaratne made 21 in an opening stand of 30 with Kaushal Silva before he was dismissed by left-arm seamer Wahab Riaz in the 13th over of the innings.

Karunaratne attempted to pull a short ball but only managed to edge a catch to wicket-keeper Sarfraz Ahmed to give the tourists a much-needed breakthrough.

The wicket would have come as a relief to skipper Misbah-ul Haq, who surprisingly elected to field on a slow pitch after winning the toss.

Wahab had Karunaratne caught in the slips off a no-ball in his first over before umpire Paul Reiffel warned the bowler for running on the wicket on his follow-through later in the same over.

The prolific Sangakkara, who took a break from his English county commitments with Surrey to play for his nation, began ominously by driving his first delivery from Wahab to the mid-on fence.

Rain has been forecast in the southern coastal town on all five days of the match.

Sri Lanka and Pakistan are due to play three Tests, followed by five one-day internationals and two Twenty20 matches.
Source: AFP