Daijiworld Media Network

Galle, Jun 22 : Hello and welcome to our coverage of the first of the three Tests between Sri Lanka and Pakistan. Mohammad Hafeez will be leading the tourists in the absence of Misbah ul Haq. A big blow that for Pakistan. Sri Lanka will be looking to capitalise on this and will be hoping to do well for a change in home Tests against Pakistan. An interesting day ahead of us.

Pitch and conditions: There is a strong breeze blowing across the ground. The pitch is hard with an even covering of grass. It should assist the pacers in the initial period. There is some moisture around after a bit of rain early in the morning.

Sri Lanka have won the toss and elected to bat

Mahela: We're going to bat first. It looks a good wicket so hopefully runs on the board. the absence of Murali is a challenge for a bowling but there's always a start. Welegedara woke up with a sore shoulder so Nuwan Pradeep comes in.

Hafeez: It's a great opportunity of me. It's unfortunate why Misbah is not here. We've done well in the last year or so. It is a good chance for the youngsters. There will be some assitance early on for the seamers. I would have liked to bat first too but I believe that there is enough on this pitch for our bowlers to work with.

Teams:

Pakistan (Playing XI): Taufeeq Umar, Mohammad Hafeez(c), Younis Khan, Azhar Ali, Asad Shafiq, Adnan Akmal(w), Mohammad Ayub, Abdur Rehman, Saeed Ajmal, Umar Gul, Junaid Khan

Sri Lanka (Playing XI): Tillakaratne Dilshan, Tharanga Paranavitana, Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene(c), Thilan Samaraweera, Angelo Mathews, Prasanna Jayawardene(w), Nuwan Kulasekara, Suraj Randiv, Rangana Herath, Nuwan Pradeep