Sri Lanka’a pace bowling resources are dwindling as fast bowler Kasun Rajitha has been ruled out for the second Test match against Pakistan at Karachi because of a hamstring strain.

The 26-year-old picked up the injury in the first Test at Rawalpindi during his new ball spell that lasted just six overs.

Just before the start of the tour, Sri Lanka’s ace fast bowler, Suranga Lakmal withdrew from the squad after contracting dengue. With Rajitha too missing out, they only have two frontline pacers for the second Test – Lahiru Kumara and Vishwa Fernando.

Rookie fast bowler Asitha Fernando could make his Test debut if Sri Lanka opt to field a three-man pace attack for the Karachi Test. If not, left-arm spinner Lasith Embuldeniya or chinaman bowler Lakshan Sandakan could take Rajitha’s spot in the playing XI.

The first Test ended in a tame draw as hardly any play was possible from the second to the fourth day of the Test because of bad weather. Centuries on the final day from star batsman Babar Azam and debutant Abid Ali gave the home crowd something to cheer in the first ever Test on Pakistan soil in over a decade.

The second and final Test of the series begins on Thursday at Karachi.