Sri Lanka Test captain Dimuth Karunaratne is doubtful for the opening Test against Pakistan owing to a hamstring injury. Over the following 48 hours in Colombo, he will be put through some fitness tests; if he fails, he won't be making the trip to Galle for the match on July 16.

Vice-captain Dhananjaya de Silva will take charge of the squad in the absence of skipper Karunaratne. Due to a side strain, Lahiru Kumara is also set to miss the first Test. The absence of these two key players makes it difficult for the selectors to put together a competitive team capable of competing with Pakistan.

"In the event of Dimuth's unavailability, the team will be led by the 31-year-old all-rounder, Dhananjaya de Silva, who is already the vice-captain," on Thursday morning, a source close to the SLC told Sri Lanka Daily Mirror.

According to the same source, the Sri Lanka Cricket Board has only now decided on the final members of the team for the first Test. After the first Test begins, the board will decide which players will advance to the second.

“They have selected the squad for the first Test only. The team for the second Test (to be played in Colombo (July 24-28) will be finalized on the third day of the first Test,” the source added.

Meanwhile, Pakistan and Sri Lanka's Cricket Presidents XI recently participated in a two-day practice Test match. From July 16-20, the first Test between Sri Lanka and Pakistan will be played.