Ground staff cover the pitch during rain on the second morning of the first Test cricket match between Pakistan and Sri Lanka at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium (AAMIR QURESHI)
<p>Rawalpindi (Pakistan) (AFP) – Sri Lanka reached 222-5 Thursday when rain stopped play on the second day of the first Test in Rawalpindi, Pakistan’s first home Test since a deadly attack in 2009.</p><p>Intermittent rain forced an early lunch with just 7.5 overs of play possible in the morning session after Sri Lanka, who resumed at 202-5, adding 20 runs without further loss.</p><p>Dhananjaya de Silva was unbeaten on 54, his sixth Test half-century, while Niroshan Dickwella was 15 not out. </p><p>The brief period of play saw wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan claim a catch to dismiss de Silva off the bowling of 16-year-old pace bowler Naseem Shah, but third umpire Richard Illingworth ruled the ball had bounced before being taken.</p><p>Next ball de Silva completed his half-century with two runs off Naseem, who with 2-65 was the pick of Pakistan’s bowlers. </p><p>The Test is the first in Pakistan since a militant attack on the Sri Lankan team bus killed eight people in March 2009, suspending international cricket in the country as foreign teams refused to visit over security fears.</p><p></p>

Disclaimer: Validity of the above story is for 7 Days from original date of publishing. Source: AFP.