• Pakistan captain Azhar Ali (R) and Sri Lankan counterpart Dimuth Karunaratne pose for a photograph with the Test series trophy at the Pindi Cricket Stadium ahead of the first Test in Rawalpindi. AFP
    Pakistan captain Azhar Ali (R) and Sri Lankan counterpart Dimuth Karunaratne pose for a photograph with the Test series trophy at the Pindi Cricket Stadium ahead of the first Test in Rawalpindi. AFP
  • Sri Lanka cricketers take part in a practice session at the Pindi Cricket Stadium. AFP
    Sri Lanka cricketers take part in a practice session at the Pindi Cricket Stadium. AFP
  • Buses carrying Sri Lanka's and Pakistan's cricketers arrive at the Pindi Cricket Stadium. AFP
    Buses carrying Sri Lanka's and Pakistan's cricketers arrive at the Pindi Cricket Stadium. AFP
  • Sri Lanka cricketers take part in a practice session at the Pindi Cricket Stadium. AFP
    Sri Lanka cricketers take part in a practice session at the Pindi Cricket Stadium. AFP
  • Sri Lanka's captain Dimuth Karunaratne speaks during a press conference. AFP
    Sri Lanka's captain Dimuth Karunaratne speaks during a press conference. AFP
  • Sri Lanka cricketers take part in a practice session at the Pindi Cricket Stadium. AFP
    Sri Lanka cricketers take part in a practice session at the Pindi Cricket Stadium. AFP
  • Sri Lanka's Dinesh Chandimal throws a ball during a practice session. AFP
    Sri Lanka's Dinesh Chandimal throws a ball during a practice session. AFP
  • Pakistan captain Azhar Ali. AFP
    Pakistan captain Azhar Ali. AFP
  • Sri Lanka' bowler Lakshan Sandakan. AFP
    Sri Lanka' bowler Lakshan Sandakan. AFP

Sri Lanka fine tune as Pakistan prepare to hold first Test since 2009 - in pictures


Steve Luckings
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Pakistan and Sri Lanka arrived for practice at the Pindi Cricket Stadium amid tight security ahead of Thursday's first Test in Rawalpindi.

Test cricket returns to Pakistan for the first time since the  2009 terror attack on the Sri Lankan team bus in Lahore, which killed eight people and injured several players.

Pakistan have been forced to play home matches on neutral ground in the UAE, resulting in financial losses and denying a generation of Pakistan fans the chance to see their players on home soil.

Sri Lanka captain Dimuth Karunaratne joined the rest of his squad in a nets session at the stadium before taking part in a press conference alongside Pakistan counterpart Azhar Ali.

Above is a picture gallery of the training session as well as a press conference between the respective captains.

To move on to the next image, click on the arrows, or if using a mobile device, simply swipe.