CARDIFF, United Kingdom (AFP) – Sri Lanka captain Tillakaratne Dilshan said there was no point in reading the riot act after a stunning collapse to 82 all out saw his side lose the first Test against England.

A rain-affected match appeared destined for a draw after England declared their first innings on 496 for five — a lead of just 96 — with only 51 overs left on Monday’s fifth and final day here at Sophia Gardens.

But what had seemed a moribund match was sparked into life by England fast bowler Chris Tremlett who, maintaining an accurate line and length at sharp pace ripped through the top order on his way to four for 40.

Off-spinner Graeme Swann (four for 16) followed up and Sri Lanka were bowled out inside 25 overs to go 1-0 down in this three-match series.

They do not have long to regroup before the second Test at Lord’s on Friday and Dilshan said: “I am really calm, I can’t be angry.

“It will be difficult to forget this Test match but we have to stick together as a team.

“We can regroup and come back for the Lord’s Test in a positive mind and then we can play some good cricket there.”

This was Sri Lanka’s first Test outside the subcontinent since 2008 and this defeat, coming in the first match under interim coach and former Australia batsman Stuart Law, will confirm suspicions that while they remain a force in Asia, they are nothing like as effective away from familiar conditions.

Before this series began, it appeared bowling was Sri Lanka’s biggest concern with star spinner Muttiah Muralitharan, slingshot seamer Lasith Malinga and left-armer Chaminda Vaas having all retired.

ri Lanka then suffered the double misfortune of seeing pacemen Nuwan Pradeep (cruciate ligament) and Dilhara Fernando (knee soreness) both ruled out of playing in Cardiff through injury.

Pradeep has since had to return home but Sri Lanka remain optimistic Fernando will be fit to play at Lord’s.

But even if Fernando returns, that will do nothing to dampen fears regarding a Sri Lanka top order who so spectacularly slumped in Cardiff on a pitch that, while lively, was no ‘terror track’.

Three of Sri Lanka’s batsmen — Kumar Sangakkara, Thilan Samaraweera and Mahela Jaywardene — came into this match each averaging over 50 in Tests.

Yet the trio managed just 29 runs between them on Monday, with Samaraweera playing on to Swann for nought.

“It’s very difficult to explain, I can’t believe we got out in just 25 overs with such a good batting line-up like we have,” Dilshan said after seeing Sri Lanka bowled out for their lowest Test total in England, beating their 141 in Birmingham five years ago.

“Our batting line-up has guys like Mahela, Kumar, Thilan and myself.

“We are experienced players and we need to regroup as soon as possible and come back for the next Test on Friday.”

KARACHI (AFP) – Pakistani hopes of reviving international cricket rose after successfully hosting a one-day series against Afghanistan, but experts on Monday warned against any imminent breakthrough.

Pakistan’s second string whitewashed Afghanistan — the first international team to tour since the Sri Lankan team was attacked in Lahore in 2009 — in the three-match series which finished on Sunday.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said the untroubled series, albeit against lowly-ranked Afghanistan, sent positive signals after international matches were suspended following the March 2009 attacks that killed eight people, and wounded seven Sri Lankan players and their assistant coach.

But former players and officials remained guarded.

“Apparently hosting the series gives a glimmer of hope, but it wouldn’t mean anything to top cricketing nations like England, Australia and India,” said former player Iqbal Qasim.

“Revival of international cricket in Pakistan is linked to the security situation in our country, so it is advisable for the PCB to invite smaller nations, second strings and Under-19 outfits in the next few years,” he added.

Even before the Lahore attacks, Pakistan was a virtual “no go” zone for international teams, who frequently refused to visit over security fears following the September 11, 2001 attacks and the ensuing war on Al-Qaeda.

“While trying to convince the teams to tour Pakistan, our stance used to be that cricket was never attacked in our country, but the Lahore incidents changed the scenario and it will now take time to resume tours,” said Qasim.

Former PCB chief Tauqir Zia agreed that hosting the Afghans was a small step, particularly after Sri Lanka recently refused to visit later this year.

“It’s a fact that the security situation is not conducive for cricket tours in our country,” said Zia. “Sri Lanka has recently refused a tour due to take place in October this year, so we must take small steps like this one.”

The PCB, however, has trumpeted loud public optimism.

“Under the circumstances we have managed to host an international series and I am sure this successful hosting of Afghanistan will send positive signals to the cricket world,” said PCB general manager for domestic affairs Shafiq Ahmed.

“It was wonderful to see a packed Iqbal stadium (in the city of Faisalabad) on Sunday and the atmosphere was electrifying which gives us big hope that people want to watch international cricket,” said Ahmed, a former Test opener.

Interior Minister Rehman Malik vowed to do everything possible to ensure Test-playing nations return.

“I want to convey a message to the International Cricket Council (ICC) that ‘please convince teams to play cricket in Pakistan’,” Malik said on Friday.

“We are capable of protecting teams and would do everything to revive cricket,” said Malik.

The ICC stripped Pakistan of its share of hosting World Cup 2011 matches and formed a task force to find ways to revive international cricket in Pakistan, where bomb attacks have killed more than 4,410 people in the last four years.

The task force suggested World XI (teams comprising players from all countries) and junior teams’ tours as initial small steps in the process.