Sri Lanka vs Pakistan 1st Test LIVE: Dasun Shanaka Wins Toss, Hosts To Bat First

Exactly after a gap of 12 months, Pakistan return to the Galle International Stadium to take on Sri Lanka in the first Test of the 2-match series. Babar Azam's men produced a spectacular victory last year at the same venue. The message from the team management would be to repeat the same this time around. In what would be the start of a fresh World Test Championship cycle for both Pakistan and Sri Lanka, the hosts would be eager to make their solid record at the Galle count. Sri Lanka have won 6 of the last 8 Tests they played at this venue. (LIVE Scorecard)

Sri Lanka Playing XI:Dimuth Karunaratne(c), Nishan Madushka, Kusal Mendis, Angelo Mathews, Dhananjaya de Silva, Dinesh Chandimal, Sadeera Samarawickrama(w), Ramesh Mendis, Prabath Jayasuriya, Vishwa Fernando, Kasun Rajitha

Pakistan Playing XI:Abdullah Shafique, Imam-ul-Haq, Shan Masood, Babar Azam(c), Saud Shakeel, Sarfaraz Ahmed(w), Agha Salman, Nauman Ali, Abrar Ahmed, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah

No run.

Naseem Shah to bowl from the other end.

Beaten! A length ball on off. Karunaratne stays back to defend but is beaten. Gets hit high on the pads.

Very close! Too full and close to off. Nishan Madushka looks to drive but inner edges it to square leg for one.

On a length and way outside off, Nishan Madushka leaves.

Sri Lanka are off the mark. Length ball, outside off, Nishan Madushka punches it through covers for a couple of runs.

A length ball, shaping away this time. Nishan Madushka swings and misses.

Shaheen Afridi starts with a fuller delivery, swinging on middle, Nishan Madushka blocks it out.

We are all set. Dimuth Karunaratne and Nishan Madushka to open for Sri Lanka. Shaheen Afridi has the new cherry in hand. Let's go...

So, Pakistan will be glad to have