Bowlers dominate first day

The bowlers dominated the opening day of the first Test on Saturday, with Pakistan slumping to 15 for two after Sri Lanka [ Images ] were bowled out for 292.

The visitors were on top for most of the day before Sri Lanka fast bowlers Nuwan Kulasekara [ Images ] and Thilan Thushara picked up a wicket apiece before the close.

Kulasekara bowled Salman Butt [ Images ] for a duck when the opener shouldered arms to a delivery that cut sharply off the seam and left-armer Thushara trapped Khurram Manzoor leg before for two with another inswinger.

Earlier, Tharanga Paranavitana top-scored for the home team with 72 while all-rounder Angelo Mathews contributed 42 in 57 deliveries.

Opener Paranavitana's maiden Test half-century rescued the hosts after 17-year-old paceman Mohammad Aamer had struck twice on his debut to leave Sri Lanka reeling on 21 for two on the first day of the three-match series.

The 27-year-old left-hander, who faced 125 balls and hit 11 fours, added 75 runs for the third wicket with former captain Mahela Jayawardene [ Images ] (30) who fell just before lunch when he was caught behind off another debutant fast bowler, Abdur Rauf.

Jayawardene's dismissal was a relief for wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal, who dropped the right-hander before he had scored.

After lunch Paranavitana put on 43 with Thilan Samaraweera [ Images ] (31), who was making his first-class comeback after being injured in the Lahore [ Images ] attacks four months ago.

Paranavitana then edged a rising delivery from Rauf to Misbah-ul-Haq before Samaraweera clipped a gentle outswinger from part-time medium pacer Younus Khan to the keeper.

Aamer was the pick of the attack with three for 74 while captain Younus, Rauf and debutant off-spinner Saeed Ajmal [ Images ] all took two apiece.