Debutant Saqib Khan takes seven as Pakistan restrict Sri Lanka to slender lead

Debutant fast bowler Saqib Khan produced a remarkable seven-wicket haul as Pakistan restricted Sri Lanka to a slender 12-run first-innings lead on the fourth day of the opening Test at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Thursday.

Sri Lanka, who resumed their innings at 404 for four, were bowled out for 446 in 117.2 overs after losing their last six wickets for just 42 runs.

Pakistan had declared their first innings at 434 for nine, leaving the visitors with only a narrow advantage despite having appeared firmly in control after the third day.

Saqib finished with outstanding figures of seven for 130 in 34 overs, equalling the record for the most wickets by a Pakistani bowler on Test debut and becoming only the fourth player from the country to claim a seven-wicket haul in his first Test innings.

His performance turned the tide after Sri Lanka had dominated much of the contest through their experienced middle order.

The visitors had taken charge on the third day through a massive partnership between Dhananjaya de Silva and captain Kusal Mendis.

De Silva top-scored with a commanding 167 off 246 deliveries, including 20 boundaries, while Mendis contributed a fluent 119 from 202 balls, hitting 10 fours and four sixes.

Their unbroken fifth-wicket partnership had frustrated Pakistan’s bowlers for much of the previous day and set a new record for Sri Lanka against Pakistan, surpassing the previous best of 207. Mendis also became the first Sri Lankan to score a century in his maiden Test as captain.

However, Pakistan returned with renewed purpose on Thursday, with Saqib leading the charge.

He provided the decisive breakthrough by dismissing Mendis for 119, ending the crucial association and giving the hosts an opportunity to run through the remaining batting order.

Saqib continued to trouble the lower order, claiming the wickets of Sonal Dinusha, who made 20, Milan Rathnayake (12), Lahiru Kumara (0) and Asitha Fernando (4), among others.

His sustained accuracy and ability to extract assistance from the surface ensured Sri Lanka could not turn their strong position into a commanding first-innings lead.

Mohammad Abbas supported the debutant with two wickets, while Razaullah took one as Pakistan wrapped up the innings.

The late collapse prevented Sri Lanka from building a substantial advantage on a surface that had earlier offered some assistance to the seamers but had also allowed well-set batters to score freely.

Pakistan’s first-innings total had been built around valuable middle-order contributions, with Saud Shakeel narrowly missing a century after scoring 93.

Debutants Tayyab Arif and Mohammad Taha had also struck half-centuries, while Arafat Minhas added a brisk 52.