Heavy rain has prevented any play from taking place on the first day of the opening Test match between Sri Lanka and Pakistan in Galle.

The contest was due to begin at 10am local time (5.30am UK time), but persistent rain prevented the match from beginning as scheduled.

Heavy downpour in the morning delayed the toss and it was hoped that the match could begin once it had relented.

There was a brief respite in the weather, but following a pitch inspection, it was deemed that there was too much water on the covers to allow play.

Play will start 15 minutes earlier on Thursday.