Debutant Saqib Khan’s seven-wicket haul sparks Pakistan fightback against Sri Lanka

The right-arm pacer claims 7-130, including five wickets in an incisive eight-over spell, to trigger a dramatic Sri Lankan collapse from 404-4 to 446 all out; Pakistan reach 57-1 after conceding a narrow first-innings lead of 12 runs before rain and bad light bring an early end to the fourth day's play.

Hamid Khan Wazir

RAWALPINDI: Pakistan debutant fast bowler Saqib Khan produced a sensational performance with the ball, claiming seven wickets to turn the tide of the first Test against Sri Lanka as the visitors suffered a dramatic batting collapse on the fourth day at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Thursday.

The right-arm pacer returned impressive figures of 7-130, including a devastating eight-over spell in which he conceded just 25 runs and picked up five wickets, dismantling Sri Lanka's middle and lower order after the tourists had appeared firmly in control of the contest.

Saqib's outstanding effort triggered a collapse that saw Sri Lanka lose their last six wickets for just 42 runs, tumbling from their overnight total of 404-4 to 446 all out. The visitors had looked set to establish a substantial first-innings advantage after two of their senior batters, Dhananjaya de Silva and captain Kusal Mendis, had constructed a commanding 249-run partnership for the fifth wicket.

However, Saqib's incisive bowling on an overcast Rawalpindi morning changed the complexion of the match, giving Pakistan a crucial opportunity to recover after struggling to contain the Sri Lankan batting line-up during the previous day's play.

His seven-wicket haul was the fourth-best innings bowling performance by a Pakistani bowler on Test debut. He became the fourth Pakistani to claim seven wickets in an innings in his maiden Test appearance, joining fast bowler Mohammad Zahid, Mohammad Nazir and spinner Abrar Ahmed.

Mohammad Zahid had recorded 7-66, Mohammad Nazir returned 7-99, while Abrar Ahmed claimed 7-114 on their respective Test debuts. No Pakistani bowler has taken more than seven wickets in a single innings on debut.

Pakistan, who had scored 434 in their first innings, conceded a slender 12-run lead after Sri Lanka were bowled out for 446. The home side then reached 57-1 in 21.2 overs in their second innings, extending their overall advantage to 45 runs with nine wickets still in hand. However, persistent interruptions due to poor light and rain prevented Pakistan from building a substantial lead, with the fourth day's proceedings ending early. With only the final day remaining and more rain forecast, the opening Test appeared increasingly likely to finish in a draw.

Centurions fall in quick succession

Sri Lanka had resumed their first innings at 404-4, with De Silva unbeaten on 167 and Mendis on 117. The visitors were only 30 runs behind Pakistan's first-innings total and had six wickets remaining, placing them in a strong position to secure a significant lead.

Saqib, however, struck in the very first over of the day, ending the marathon innings of De Silva without allowing the experienced batter to add to his overnight score.

The pacer had already been probing the channel outside the off stump when De Silva pushed at an away-swinging delivery and edged it behind the wicket. Wicketkeeper Ghazi Ghori completed the catch, bringing an end to a magnificent 405-minute innings of 167 runs.

De Silva struck 20 boundaries during his stay at the crease and had been instrumental in putting Sri Lanka in a commanding position through his partnership with Mendis. The breakthrough proved particularly important for Pakistan as it opened the door for further strikes against a Sri Lankan batting line-up that had looked increasingly comfortable during the previous day's play.

Saqib continued to exploit the conditions and removed the Sri Lankan captain in his next over, dismissing Mendis for 119. The right-hander, who had also scored a century in the innings, edged a delivery to the wicketkeeper, ending a five-hour stay at the crease. His innings included 10 fours and four sixes. Mendis and De Silva had added 249 runs for the fifth wicket, rescuing Sri Lanka from an early collapse and placing the tourists in a strong position. Their dismissals in quick succession, however, exposed the lower order to Pakistan's bowling attack.

Saqib runs through the lower order

With both centurions back in the pavilion, Pakistan sensed an opportunity to wrap up the innings quickly, and Saqib continued his impressive spell. He claimed his fifth wicket when Sonal Dinusha, who had scored 20, edged a delivery to the slip cordon, further accelerating Sri Lanka's collapse.

The pacer then returned to finish off the tail, dismissing Lahiru Kumara for a duck and Asitha Fernando for four to complete a memorable seven-wicket haul. Sri Lanka's last six wickets fell for just 42 runs, a remarkable turnaround after the visitors had been comfortably placed at 404-4 at the start of the day.

Saqib's ability to generate movement and maintain pressure proved decisive on a morning when Pakistan desperately needed breakthroughs. His disciplined line and length, combined with the assistance available from the overcast conditions, made life increasingly difficult for the Sri Lankan batters. The debutant's performance also provided a major boost to Pakistan's bowling attack, which had struggled to break the fifth-wicket partnership on the previous day.

Pakistan lose opener but extend lead

Pakistan began their second innings with the task of building a meaningful lead and putting pressure on Sri Lanka ahead of the final day. The home side, however, suffered an early setback when opener Tayyab Arif was trapped leg-before-wicket by Asitha Fernando for 11 shortly before lunch.

Despite the dismissal, Pakistan maintained a steady scoring rate and reached 57-1 in 21.2 overs before the weather intervened. The supplied scorecard details identify Azan Awais and Mohammad Taha as the unbeaten batters on 22 and 24 respectively at the close of play. Pakistan's overall lead stood at 45 runs, with nine wickets remaining.

The home side would have hoped to use the remaining time to extend its advantage and put Sri Lanka under pressure, but deteriorating light and subsequent rainfall disrupted the proceedings.

Draw looms as weather disrupts Test

The fourth day's interruptions further reduced the possibility of a decisive result in the opening Test. More than 100 overs have already been lost to rain and bad light during the match, severely restricting the playing time available to both sides.

Although the Rawalpindi pitch showed signs of life on the fourth morning, with seven wickets falling in a little over 36 overs, the repeated weather interruptions have made it increasingly difficult for either team to force a result. Pakistan's bowling revival has given the home side renewed confidence, but the limited time remaining means Sri Lanka are likely to focus on preventing defeat if they get an opportunity to bat again.

More rain has been forecast for Friday, further strengthening the likelihood of a draw. The second and final Test of the series will also be played in Rawalpindi, beginning on November 17, leaving both teams with another opportunity to secure a result in the two-match contest.

For Pakistan, however, the fourth day belonged to Saqib, whose outstanding debut performance transformed a difficult situation into a competitive contest and provided one of the most memorable bowling displays by a Pakistani newcomer in Test cricket.