Rain washes out first day in Galle Test

The opening day of the first Test between Sri Lanka and Pakistan was washed out without a ball being bowled due to heavy rain in Galle on Wednesday (June 17).

With incessant rain lashing the city since morning, the Galle International Stadium was kept covered from the start and even the toss could not take place.

The downpour eased towards the afternoon but the damage had already been done. Play for the day was eventually called off after a final inspection by the umpires at 1.45pm local time. There will be an early start to play Day 2 onwards, with the toss scheduled for 9.15am on Thursday.

The three-Test series is the sixth between the two teams in as many years. The last of them also took place in Sri Lanka, a year ago, with the host winning both Tests to ensure Pakistan remained winless on Sri Lanka soil since 2006.

Apart from the three Tests, Sri Lanka and Pakistan will also play five One-Day Internationals and two Twenty20 Internationals in a tour that will last till early August.