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Saqib Khan’s dream debut: 7 wickets stun Sri LankaSports
Debutant fast bowler Saqib Khan took seven wickets as Sri Lanka were bowled out for 446 on day four in Rawalpindi, leaving Pakistan just 12 runs behind.
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Debutant fast bowler Saqib Khan produced a dream morning for Pakistan on Thursday, claiming five wickets in quick succession to bowl Sri Lanka out for 446 on the fourth day of the first Test in Rawalpindi. The seamer finished with seven wickets for 130 runs from 34 overs, leaving Pakistan only 12 runs behind after the visitors had threatened to build a big lead.
Sri Lanka had resumed the day on 404 for four, just 30 runs behind Pakistan’s first-innings total of 434 for nine declared. Their overnight pair, Dhananjaya de Silva and captain Kusal Mendis, had already put on more than 200 runs together and looked set to carry their side into a strong lead. Saqib had other ideas. He removed both centurions in the morning session, having de Silva caught behind for 167 and then dismissing Mendis the same way for 119.
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The debutant was not finished there. He also accounted for Sonal Dinusha for 20, Lahiru Kumara for nought and Asitha Fernando for four as Sri Lanka’s last six wickets fell for only 42 runs. It was a remarkable return for a bowler who had already announced himself on the second day, when he claimed Dinesh Chandimal as his first Test wicket and later removed the aggressive Lahiru Udara for 42.
A debut to remember
Saqib’s performance capped a memorable first Test for Pakistan’s newcomers. Three debutant batters, Tayyab Arif, Mohammad Taha and Arafat Minhas, had scored half-centuries in Pakistan’s first innings, only the second time in 149 years of Test cricket that three debutants have reached fifty in the same innings. Bad light had eaten into play on the opening days, but the home side still managed to declare at 434 for nine during the second day.
Pakistan began their second innings 12 runs behind, with the match now finely poised heading into the final day. The first Test is scheduled to run until Friday, November 13, with one day left for either side to force a result. The two sides will meet again in the second Test, which has been moved to Rawalpindi from Lahore because of smog and will be played from November 17 to 21.
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