Murali missing for Sri Lanka

Muttiah Muralitharan has been ruled out of Sri Lanka's first Test against Pakistan.

Spinner sidelined by a knee injury for first Test against Pakistan

Muttiah Muralitharan has been ruled out of Sri Lanka's first Test against Pakistan because of a minor injury to his right knee. The record Test wicket-taker injured his patella tendon in training and has been advised to rest up and let it heal. Off-spinner Suraj Mohamed and left-arm spinner Rangana Herath have therefore been called up as cover for the opening Test, which starts in Galle on Saturday. Herath has been rushed back to Sri Lanka from England, where he was playing club cricket, while Mohamed has yet to play for his country, but performed well in a warm-up match against the hosts. The pair are vying for the chance to partner Ajantha Mendes in the Sri Lanka attack, with selectors expected to name two spinners for the clash.