Muttiah Muralitharan will miss what is expected to be an emotional return to Test cricket against Pakistan this weekend.

A knee injury has ruled 'Murali' out of Saturday's game at Sri Lanka's Galle International Stadium, the first Test between the two teams since a militant attack in Lahore, Pakistan, left eight people dead.

The two teams, however, recently contested the finals of the ICC World Twenty20 in England. Pakistan beat Sri Lanka by eight wickets.

"Murali has picked up a knee injury and has been asked to rest for a while," team manager Brendon Kuruppu said.

Muralitharan, 37, currently holds the world record in Test cricket with 770 wickets. He is also the highest wicket-taker in one-day internationals with 505.

His place in the first of the three Tests will be taken by either orthodox left-arm spinner Rangana Herath or rookie slow bowler Suraj Randiv Kaluhalmulla, a Sri Lanka cricket official said.

The remaining two Tests will be played in Colombo, followed by five one-day internationals and one Twenty20 game.

Sri Lanka-Pakistan Tests

Head to Head:

- The two countries had played the final of the Asian Test Championship at Bangabandhu National Stadium, Dhaka in March 1999. Pakistan had won the Test by an innings and 175 runs. 

- Pakistan have played five Test series in Sri Lanka, winning three and drawing the remaining two. In case of a series win in 2009, Pakistan would be accomplishing a hat-trick of series wins in Sri Lanka.

- Sri Lanka's only win against Pakistan in Sri Lanka was way back in March 1986, winning by 8 wickets at Colombo.

- The two countries had played at Galle only once. Pakistan had won the Test by an innings and 163 runs in June 2000 - their biggest win in Sri Lanka.