Saqib Khan Scripts History with Seven-Wicket Haul on Test Debut Against Sri Lanka
RAWALPINDI: Pakistan’s emerging fast-bowling talent Saqib Khan delivered a memorable performance on his Test debut, becoming only the fourth Pakistani bowler to claim seven wickets in an innings on debut.
The right-arm pacer finished with outstanding figures of 7/130, helping Pakistan bowl Sri Lanka out for 446 in their first innings at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Thursday. With this achievement, Saqib joined Mohammad Zahid, Mohammad Nazir and Abrar Ahmed in an exclusive group of Pakistani bowlers to have taken seven wickets in their maiden Test appearance.
Best bowling figures by Pakistani bowlers on Test debut:
- Mohammad Zahid – 7/66 vs New Zealand, Rawalpindi, 1996
- Mohammad Nazir – 7/99 vs New Zealand, Karachi, 1969
- Abrar Ahmed – 7/114 vs England, Multan, 2022
- Saqib Khan – 7/130 vs Sri Lanka, Rawalpindi, 2026
- Bilal Asif – 6/36 vs Australia, Dubai, 2018
Sri Lanka’s response to Pakistan’s first-innings declaration at 434/9 initially looked promising, but their innings eventually revolved around a remarkable partnership between Dhananjaya de Silva and skipper Kusal Mendis, who added 249 runs together.
Pakistan had made an early breakthrough on day two when Mohammad Abbas sent Pasindu Sooriyabandara back without scoring. Saqib then announced his arrival in international cricket by claiming his first Test wicket, dismissing Dinesh Chandimal for just one.
Despite those early setbacks, Lahiru Udara and Kamindu Mendis rebuilt the innings with a 50-run stand. Saqib interrupted their progress by removing Udara for 42 off 52 balls, leaving the visitors struggling at 65/3.
Kamindu then joined De Silva in another important partnership, contributing 58 from 131 deliveries, including eight fours, during a 90-run stand. Abbas eventually broke the partnership by dismissing Kamindu, with Sri Lanka reduced to 155/4 after 42 overs.
However, De Silva and Kusal ensured Pakistan had to wait considerably longer for another breakthrough, combining for an impressive 249-run partnership that put Sri Lanka in a commanding position.
Pakistan’s bowlers finally turned the contest around on the fourth morning, with the visitors losing their final six wickets for just 42 runs.
Saqib was at the heart of the collapse, striking immediately after the resumption to remove the well-set De Silva for 167 off 246 balls, an innings featuring 20 boundaries. He followed it up in the very next over by dismissing Kusal Mendis, who departed after scoring an excellent 119 from 202 deliveries, including 10 fours and four sixes.
The debutant was not finished yet. He went on to dismiss Sonal Dinusha for 20 before removing Lahiru Kumara and Asitha Fernando for ducks and four respectively, completing a memorable seven-wicket haul.
Razaullah also contributed to the late collapse, taking the wicket of Milan Rathnayaka for 12 as Pakistan brought Sri Lanka’s first innings to an end at 446.
Saqib’s outstanding debut spell proved instrumental in restricting Sri Lanka to a narrow 12-run lead and gave Pakistan a significant boost in the first Test.
