Zimbabwe's Neil Johnson and Guy Whittall put a damper on early Sri Lankan celebrations, in the first day of the Third Test in Harare.

The day belonged to the tourists but it might have been a humiliation for the Zimbabweans without Johnson, who scored a nifty 70 and Whittall, who partnered him in a stand worth 60 for the sixth wicket. At the close, Zimbabwe were 178-8. Sri Lanka's dominance was largely due to Ravi Pushpakumara, who took five for 47. Zimbabwe must win to square the series. Meanwhile, Pakistan have sacked their English-born coach Richard Pybus two days after the team returned home from Australia following a 3-0 Test whitewash. "A decision on Pybus' replacement will soon be announced," said Shafqat Rana, the Pakistan Cricket Board secretary.