Fast bowler Shaheen Afridi led Pakistan’s spirited bowling display with a four-wicket haul to help the visiting side skittle Sri Lanka out for 222 on the first day of the opening Test on Saturday.

In reply, Pakistan lost openers Imam-ul Haq and Abdullah Shafique to reach 24 for 2 by the close of play, trailing by 198 runs.

The Sri Lanka team, playing amid a political and economic meltdown in the country, came into the contest having defeated Australia by an innings and 39 runs to level their two-Test series at the same Galle International Stadium a few days earlier.

On a surface expected to aid spinners as the match progresses, Sri Lanka captain Dimuth Karunaratne did not hesitate to bat first after winning the toss.

But the hosts’ hopes of piling up a big first innings total were hit hard when Karunaratne was out for just one, inside-edging left-armer Afridi onto his stumps.

Kusal Mendis and Oshada Fernando combined for a second-wicket stand of 49 to set up a platform for Sri Lanka’s batters to build on, but Pakistan hit back by picking up three wickets for eight runs to reduce them to 68 for 4.

Experienced leg-spinner Yasir Shah celebrated his return to the Pakistan side for the first time since August by dismissing Mendis for 21 and Angelo Mathews without scoring, while seamer Hasan Ali sent back Fernando for 35.