Pakistan Debutant Saqib Khan Claims Seven Wickets as Sri Lanka Collapse in Rawalpindi Test

RAWALPINDI, November 12: Pakistan fast bowler Saqib Khan produced a memorable performance on his Test debut, claiming seven wickets to trigger a dramatic Sri Lankan batting collapse on the fourth day of the opening Test at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Thursday.

The 31 year old right arm pacer returned outstanding figures of 7 for 130 in 34 overs, helping Pakistan restrict Sri Lanka to 446 in their first innings and limit the visitors’ advantage to just 12 runs.

Sri Lanka had appeared firmly in control after reaching 404 for four at the close of the previous day’s play. However, Pakistan’s bowling attack returned with renewed determination on Thursday, with Saqib leading the charge and dismantling the opposition’s lower order.

The visitors lost their final six wickets for just 42 runs, surrendering a commanding position and allowing Pakistan to remain firmly in contention.

Saqib’s achievement was particularly significant because he became only the fourth Pakistani bowler to claim seven wickets in an innings on his Test debut. He also joined an exclusive group of Pakistan fast bowlers to achieve the milestone.

The previous Pakistani players to record seven-wicket hauls on debut were Mohammad Nazir, Mohammad Zahid and Abrar Ahmed.

The performance marked an extraordinary beginning to Saqib’s international career and brought him considerable attention following his impressive domestic performances.

Sri Lanka lose control after strong batting partnership

Sri Lanka resumed their first innings on Thursday at 404 for four, with experienced batter Dhananjaya de Silva unbeaten on 167 and captain Kusal Mendis on 117.

The pair had dominated Pakistan’s bowling attack on the third day, building an impressive 249-run partnership for the fifth wicket that had placed the visitors in a strong position.

De Silva continued to demonstrate excellent control and patience, while Mendis complemented him with an attacking approach.

However, Pakistan’s bowlers made an immediate impact after play resumed under overcast conditions.

Saqib struck in the opening over of the morning session, removing De Silva for 167 without allowing him to add to his overnight score. The batter edged an away-swinging delivery to wicketkeeper Muhammad Ghazi Ghori.

The breakthrough provided Pakistan with an important opportunity to attack the remaining batting lineup.

Five overs later, Saqib dismissed captain Kusal Mendis for 119, ending the partnership that had threatened to take the match away from the hosts.

Kusal attempted to continue his aggressive approach but edged another delivery behind the stumps, where Ghori completed the catch.

The dismissal was a major turning point, as Sri Lanka suddenly lost the two batters responsible for their commanding position.

De Silva’s innings came from 246 deliveries and included 20 boundaries, while Kusal scored 119 from 202 balls, striking 10 fours and four sixes.

Their contributions had given Sri Lanka an excellent opportunity to establish a substantial first-innings advantage, but the collapse that followed changed the complexion of the contest.

Saqib dismantles the lower order

After removing the two centurions, Saqib continued to trouble Sri Lanka’s remaining batters.

He dismissed Sonal Dinusha for 20 after the batter edged a delivery towards the slip cordon.

The fast bowler subsequently removed Asitha Fernando and Lahiru Kumara, further reducing the visitors’ chances of building a significant lead.

Milan Rathnayake was dismissed by Razaullah, while Mohammad Abbas also contributed with two important wickets.

Sri Lanka eventually lost their final six wickets for 42 runs and were bowled out for 446 in 117.2 overs.

Saqib finished with seven wickets for 130 runs, becoming the standout performer of the day.

His ability to exploit the conditions and maintain pressure on the opposition was central to Pakistan’s recovery.

The overcast weather appeared to assist his swing bowling, allowing him to generate movement and trouble even well-set batters.

His performance also highlighted the importance of maintaining discipline and executing plans consistently in Test cricket.

A place in Pakistan’s cricket record books

Saqib’s seven-wicket performance placed him among a select group of Pakistani bowlers who have achieved the feat on their Test debut.

Mohammad Nazir had recorded seven wickets for 99 runs against New Zealand in 1969, while Mohammad Zahid claimed seven for 66 against the same opposition in 1996.

Abrar Ahmed later registered seven for 114 against England in 2022.

Saqib’s figures of 7 for 130 made him the fourth Pakistani bowler to achieve a seven-wicket haul in his first Test appearance.

He also became only the second Pakistan fast bowler after Zahid to register seven wickets in a Test innings on debut.

The achievement was particularly encouraging for Pakistan, which has continued to search for reliable fast-bowling options capable of delivering consistent performances at the international level.

Saqib’s arrival provides another option for the national team, particularly in conditions where swing and seam movement can become decisive.

His domestic performances had already attracted attention before his selection for the national side.

He claimed 47 wickets in nine matches during the 2025-26 Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, playing an important role in Karachi Blues’ title-winning campaign.

He also collected 10 wickets in the 2026 President’s Trophy, strengthening his case for international selection.

His transition from domestic cricket to the Test arena has now been marked by an outstanding individual performance.

Pakistan begin second innings with narrow advantage

After conceding a 12-run first-innings lead, Pakistan began their second innings with the objective of building a competitive advantage before the final day.

The hosts suffered an early setback when opener Tayyab Arif was dismissed for 11 by Asitha Fernando.

However, Azan Awais and Mohammad Taha steadied the innings with a valuable unbeaten partnership.

Azan remained not out on 22, while Taha contributed 24 without being dismissed.

Pakistan reached 57 for one in 21.2 overs before bad light and rain interrupted proceedings.

The hosts consequently held an overall lead of 45 runs, with nine wickets still available.

The partnership between the two batters provided some stability after the early loss and gave Pakistan an opportunity to build a stronger position when play resumed.

However, the weather remained a major concern, with interruptions already affecting the progress of the match.

Weather threatens Pakistan’s hopes of victory

Although Saqib’s performance brought Pakistan back into the contest, the repeated interruptions caused by rain and poor visibility continued to affect the match.

Four sessions had already been lost because of unfavourable weather conditions and bad light, reducing the available playing time considerably.

With the final day approaching, Pakistan faced the challenge of scoring quickly enough to establish a substantial lead and leave sufficient time to dismiss Sri Lanka again.

The home side had nine second-innings wickets remaining and could potentially strengthen its position through contributions from experienced batters Babar Azam, Saud Shakeel and Salman Ali Agha.

Sri Lanka, meanwhile, would be looking to restrict Pakistan’s scoring and make the most of the remaining time.

The visitors had demonstrated their batting strength through the centuries from De Silva and Kusal Mendis, but their late collapse showed that the Pakistan bowling attack remained capable of producing important breakthroughs.

Further rain was forecast for Friday, making the possibility of a draw increasingly significant.

The result of the opening Test could therefore depend as much on weather conditions as on the performances of the two teams.

Pakistan prepare for crucial final day

Pakistan’s coaching staff will be encouraged by the response from the bowling unit, particularly after Sri Lanka appeared close to establishing a substantial advantage.

Saqib’s contribution has provided the hosts with renewed confidence and demonstrated the value of selecting promising domestic performers for international assignments.

Head coach Mike Hesson’s advice to maintain disciplined bowling around the off stump proved effective during the morning session, when the conditions offered assistance to the seamers.

Saqib later explained that the team had recognised the need to improve its bowling discipline after the previous day’s performance.

He also revealed that he had written down a personal target of taking six wickets before the start of the day’s play. His eventual return of seven wickets exceeded that target.

The achievement reflected both his preparation and his ability to execute the team’s strategy under pressure.

For Sri Lanka, the priority will be to recover from the disappointing end to their first innings and remain competitive in the remaining stages of the match.

The visitors will also be aware that Pakistan’s batting lineup has several experienced players capable of extending the hosts’ advantage.

The second and final Test of the series is scheduled to begin in Rawalpindi on November 17, making the opening encounter important for both sides as they seek an early advantage.

Saqib’s remarkable debut has already become one of the major talking points of the series.

While the final result of the opening match remains uncertain because of weather interruptions, his seven-wicket haul has given Pakistan a major reason for optimism.

For the 31-year-old pacer, the performance represents a significant personal milestone and a promising beginning to his international career.

His ability to dismantle Sri Lanka’s batting lineup after the visitors had established a strong position demonstrated his potential to become an important part of Pakistan’s bowling attack.

The final day’s play will determine whether Pakistan can convert their recovery into a victory or whether Sri Lanka can hold on for a draw.

Regardless of the eventual result, Saqib Khan’s extraordinary seven-wicket performance has ensured that his Test debut will be remembered as a major achievement in Pakistan cricket.