GALLE: Bad weather washed out the opening day's play without a ball being bowled in the first Test between Sri Lanka and Pakistan in Galle on Wednesday.

The umpires abandoned play at 2.00 pm (0830 GMT) after incessant rain showed no signs of abating and the large covers at the Galle International Stadium became waterlogged.

Play will start 15 minutes early on the second day, weather permitting. But rain has been forecast over this southern coastal town on all five days.

Read: Pakistan, Sri Lanka eye Test ranking boost

A major shuffle in the International Cricket Council (ICC) rankings is likely as Pakistan and Sri Lanka go head-to-head in a three-Test series.

If Pakistan win all the three Tests, it would vault into third place on 105 points, while a 2-1 win would also see Misbah-ul-Haq’s side move into third place on 101 points.

Read: Galle has remained Sri Lanka’s happy hunting ground in Tests

Sri Lanka can also gain as many as eight points and move into third position on 104 points if it sweeps the series. Angelo Mathews’ side will rise to third on 100 points if it wins 2-1.

After Tests, Sri Lanka and Pakistan are scheduled to play five one-day and two Twenty20 internationals.