Saeed Ajmal was the only wicket-taker for Pakistan on a difficult first day in Galle.
Salman Butt, the former Pakistan captain who was convicted of spot-fixing, has returned home after serving seven months in prison. He arrived in Lahore at around 2.30 on Friday morning, exited from the airport lobby and spoke to reporters. He said he was not involved in any spot-fixing but claimed his mistake was not to report to the ICC when an offer was made.
Pakistan's stand-in Test captain Mohammad Hafeez praised his bowlers after an "unlucky" performance on the first day in Galle, where Tillakaratne Dilshan and Kumar Sangakkara scored centuries to lead Sri Lanka to 310 for 2. Dilshan scored his first Test century in a year, but departed for 101, and Sangakkara equalled Don Bradman, remaining unbeaten on his 29th Test ton.
Danish Kaneria, the Pakistan legspinner, has been banned for life from any cricket by ECB after being found guilty of corruption in relation to the spot-fixing case involving Mervyn Westfield. Westfield, a former Essex pace bowler, was also charged to which he pleaded guilty and was given a five-year ban, although he will be allowed to play club cricket after three years.
Nine months ago, the ICC had said a "better balance between bat and ball (needs to be) achieved" after a Galle dustbowl made life difficult for batsmen. Today, on an unexpectedly sunny day in Galle, Sri Lanka reached stumps at a commanding 310 for 2.
Clyde Butts, chairman of West Indies' selection panel, has said West Indies A's impressive show against India in the unofficial Test series, which the hosts won 2-1, augurs well for the future of West Indies cricket.
Ireland resume their quest to qualify for the 2015 World Cup next month with two World Cricket League ODIs against Afghanistan. It is their first series since securing a place at the World T20 with victory in the qualifying event in the UAE. Stuart Thompson, a 20-year-old allrounder, has been added to the squad for the two matches on July 3 and 5 at Clontarf.
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