Pakistan pacer Saqib Khan delivered a remarkable performance on his Test debut, taking seven wickets to trigger a Sri Lankan collapse in the first Test on Thursday. However, rain and bad light disrupted Pakistan’s reply in Rawalpindi.
Saqib claimed 7-130 on an overcast morning as Sri Lanka lost their remaining six wickets for just 42 runs, collapsing from their overnight score of 404-4 to 446 all out.
Pakistan conceded a narrow first-innings lead of 12 runs before reaching 57-1 when bad light and rain stopped play 45 minutes into the second session.
Openers Azan Awais and Mohammad Taha remained unbeaten on 22 and 24, respectively, giving Pakistan a 45-run lead with nine wickets in hand.
Pakistan had lost opener Tayyab Arif shortly before lunch. Asitha Fernando dismissed him lbw for 11.
Saqib Sparks Sri Lanka’s Collapse
Saqib began the day by dismissing centurion Dhananjaya de Silva in the first over. The pacer had the batter caught behind by Ghazi Ghori without adding to his overnight score of 167.
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De Silva had struck 20 fours during his 405-minute innings.
Sri Lanka captain Kusal Mendis soon followed him back to the pavilion. Saqib dismissed Mendis for 119 in the fifth over of the day, adding just two runs to his overnight total.
Mendis struck 10 fours and four sixes during his five-hour stay at the crease. He had shared a 249-run fifth-wicket partnership with De Silva.
Saqib then claimed his fifth wicket by dismissing Sonal Dinusha for 20, who edged the ball to slip.
The debutant completed his seven-wicket haul by removing tail-enders Lahiru Kumara for a duck and Asitha Fernando for four.
Saqib Joins an Exclusive List
With his 7-130 performance, Saqib became only the fourth Pakistani bowler to take seven wickets in an innings on his Test debut.
The previous Pakistani bowlers to achieve the feat were:
- Mohammad Zahid: 7-66
- Mohammad Nazir: 7-99
- Abrar Ahmed: 7-114
Rain Threatens the Test
Pakistan now hold a 45-run lead with nine wickets remaining, but further rain forecast for Friday threatens to disrupt the match.
The weather outlook has raised the prospect of a draw in the opening Test, potentially leaving the series result to the second and final match, scheduled to begin in Rawalpindi on November 17.
